More Than Classes. An Experience Built for What’s Next.
STEM Scholar Program Information
The STEM Scholar Program at STEM Christian Academic Collaborative (STEM-CA) is a cohort-based academic and career exploration program designed to help students discover their interests, develop professional skills, grow as leaders, and prepare for the opportunities that follow high school.
STEM Scholars combines strong academics with hands-on learning, career exploration, authentic projects, mentorship, leadership, and a supportive community of peers.
Think STEM Scholars might be a good fit for your student? Read on to learn how the program works, and be sure to complete the brief Interest Survey at the end. Your feedback will help us plan for next fall.
The STEM Scholar Experience
STEM Scholars continue to build a strong academic foundation while adding up to one pathway elective each semester.
Three pathway areas form the foundation of the program:
Science, Engineering & Technology
Students explore engineering design, robotics, CAD, automation, artificial intelligence, and related technologies through hands-on challenges and projects.
Healthcare & Biomedical Sciences
Students explore healthcare professions, medical terminology, patient-centered care, healthcare innovation, and the many educational and career opportunities available throughout the healthcare field.
Cybersecurity & Technology Systems
Students explore computer science, intelligent systems, networks, cybersecurity, automation, and the ways technology systems collect, communicate, and protect information.
Pathway courses emphasize learning by doing. Students work collaboratively to investigate problems, develop solutions, document their work, and communicate their ideas.
But students don’t simply take pathway classes. They become part of a community in which they learn to design, investigate, collaborate, communicate, present, lead, and mentor. The pathway courses provide a starting point, while the larger STEM Scholar experience gives students opportunities to apply and develop those skills throughout high school.
STEM Scholar Foundations
Students who want to explore the different pathway areas before choosing where to focus may take STEM Scholar Foundations, a spring semester course that introduces each pathway through short, hands-on projects and experiences. It is a valuable option for students at any high school level who want to explore their interests before selecting pathway electives..
Foundations introduces students to the STEM Scholar experience while giving them an opportunity to explore each of the three pathway areas through a series of short, hands-on projects and challenges.
Students experience:
- Science, Engineering & Technology
- Healthcare & Biomedical Sciences
- Cybersecurity & Technology Systems
Along the way, students begin developing skills that will be important throughout the STEM Scholar Program, including teamwork, problem-solving, communication, project documentation, presentation, and reflection.
At the end of the course, students reflect on their experiences, identify areas that interested them most, and begin thinking about the pathway courses and future opportunities they may want to explore.
STEM Scholar Foundations is a recommended introduction to the program, but it is not required for participation in STEM Scholars.
Beyond the Classroom
Some of the most important STEM Scholar experiences happen beyond a traditional class.
STEM Scholars have opportunities to participate in:
- Professional Guest Speakers – Learn directly from professionals working in engineering, healthcare, technology, cybersecurity, and other fields.
- Career Exploration Visits – Experience colleges, technical programs, workplaces, laboratories, healthcare settings, and other environments connected to students’ interests.
- Leadership & Mentoring –Develop communication, teamwork, leadership, and mentoring skills while taking increasing responsibility for planning events, leading committees, and preparing younger Scholars for future leadership roles within the STEM Scholar community
- STEM Scholar Symposium – Present projects, research, designs, case studies, and solutions to families, peers, educators, and invited guests at the end of each semester.
- College & Career Navigation – Explore options for the final years of high school and beyond, including STEM-CA coursework, dual enrollment, technical education, certifications, college, and career preparation.
- Achievement Recognition – Document meaningful experiences outside the classroom, including competitions, certifications, service, leadership, independent projects, and other accomplishments.
Over time, students build a record of experiences and accomplishments that demonstrates not only what they have studied, but also what they have done.
A Community of STEM Scholars
An important part of the program is the opportunity to learn alongside other students with similar interests.
STEM Scholars are part of a community that encourages curiosity, collaboration, initiative, and growth. As students progress through high school, they have opportunities to take on greater leadership roles, mentor younger students, contribute to STEM Scholar events, and represent the program within the broader community.
The goal is to help students gradually develop the confidence and habits of future engineers, healthcare professionals, scientists, technology professionals, trade professionals, researchers, and leaders.
Flexible by Design
STEM Scholars is designed to provide structure without eliminating the flexibility homeschool families value.
Scholars take at least three of their four core academic subjects—English, mathematics, science, and history—at STEM-CA. Families continue to select the specific courses that best fit each student’s academic level, graduation requirements, and long-term goals.
Scholars may select up to one pathway elective each semester. Students do not have to commit to a single pathway. A student may explore courses from several pathways or complete both courses in a particular pathway to develop greater depth in that area.
Each pathway provides a foundation students can build upon through advanced STEM-CA coursework, dual enrollment at Calhoun Community College or Drake State Community & Technical College, technical training, or other college and career opportunities.
As students move through high school, their plans can continue to evolve. Upper-level students may continue taking STEM-CA classes, participate in dual enrollment, pursue technical education or certifications, or combine several options to create an educational plan that fits their goals.
Preparing for What’s Next
The goal of STEM Scholars is not to push every student toward the same destination.
Some students may pursue four-year universities. Others may begin at a community college, enter technical training, earn industry credentials, pursue apprenticeships, or move directly toward careers that do not require a four-year degree.
What they will have in common is preparation.
Through academics, authentic projects, professional interactions, leadership, presentations, and career exploration, the STEM Scholar Program helps students develop skills they can carry into many different futures.
The STEM Scholar Program Is Coming
STEM-CA plans to welcome its Founding STEM Scholar Cohort next fall, contingent upon sufficient student and family interest.
Students interested in exploring the experience ahead of the launch will have the opportunity to enroll in STEM Scholar Foundations during the spring semester.
Interested in STEM Scholars?
We want to hear from you! Families with students who may be interested in the STEM Scholar Program are encouraged to complete our STEM Scholar Interest Survey. Your response will help us gauge interest, plan pathway offerings, and prepare for the potential launch of the program.
Completing the survey does not commit your family to enrolling in the program.
Our vision is simple:
To develop future professionals through authentic learning experiences, purposeful leadership, mentorship, and a community of students who learn and grow together.
For students who are curious about how things work, interested in solving meaningful problems, exploring possible careers, or simply wondering what their future might hold, the STEM Scholar Program provides a place to discover what’s possible.