PCAST—Parent Advisory Council for Science and Technology. Our
first PCAST meeting will be held Tuesday, October 20th at 6:00 p.m.
in the library/media center. All Science and Technology Program
parents are welcome to attend.
The STP Program Parent Advisory Group (called
PCAST) meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the
Media Center. The Program also has a Student
Advisory Board called TAB, comprised of current 9th,10th,
11th, and 12th graders in the STP program.
The Science and Technology Program
is a highly structured, four-year academic program. Of twenty-eight
possible credits, a student is required to obtain a minimum of thirteen
credits in specific mathematics, pre-engineering technology, research
and science courses. In grade nine and ten the program consists of
common experiences courses for all students. In grades eleven and
twelve each student must choose course work from at least one of four
major study areas. Students are expected to be enrolled in a full
schedule of classes during the entire four-year program. External
experiences are possible and encouraged, but must be a direct extension
or enrichment of the Science and Technology Program and have the
recommendation of the Science and Technology Center Coordinator prior to
approval by the principal.
History
The Science and Technology Program (STP), established in 1976, is
offered at three centers in Prince George’s County: Eleanor Roosevelt
High School serving the northern area, Charles H. Flowers High School,
serving the central area, and Oxon Hill High School, serving the
southern area. Each school is a four-year comprehensive high school, as
well as a Science and Technology Center. Each STP is an active member
of the National Consortium of Specialized Secondary Schools of
Mathematics, Science and Technology (NCSSSMST).
Oxon Hill High School
The Science and Technology Program
at Oxon Hill High School has a rich heritage of success. Currently,
five-hundred and twenty-five students are enrolled in the program:
one-hundred and sixty-two students in grade nine, one-hundred and
thirty-eight students in grade ten, one-hundred and twenty-eight in
grade eleven and ninety-seven students in grade twelve.
This is 23% of the student
enrollment of twenty-three hundred. Students have consistently performed
at a high level of success on the Scholastic Achievement Tests, with
many being identified as National Merit Scholars and National
Achievement Finalists.
Admission Policy
Admission to the Science and
Technology Program is highly competitive. The program represents the
top 5% of students from Prince George’s County Public Schools. Each
year up to 2,000 students test for the 500 to 525 seats. Students are
admitted into the program by a combination of earned grades and a
two-part competitive examination. The average of grades in English,
social studies, mathematics and science is computed on the quarter
grades in these subjects at the end of the student’s preceding grade
level and the first quarter grades of his/her current grade level. A
standardized verbal and numerical ability test will be administered as a
two-part competitive examination. The test is administered at the
Science and Technology high schools and several area middle schools in
December.
Academic Schedules
GRADE 9
GRADE 10
GRADE 11
GRADE 12
English 9 Honors
English 10 Honors
English 11 Honors
A/P Language
A P English/Pacesetter
Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry ST
Physics ST
Research Practicum***
U.S. History 9 Honors
L.S.N. Government
U.S. History Honors/AP
Elective/Internship***
Foundation of Engineering 1
Foundation of Engineering 2
Elective
Elective/Internship***
Physical Education/Health *
Advanced Science
and
Technology Elective **
Advanced Science and
Technology Elective**
Advanced Science and
Technology Elective **
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
* If conflicts occur with foreign language, music, or ROTC, Physical Education can be deferred with approval of program
Coordinator.
** The Science and
Technology Program require three Advanced Science and Technology Credits
for program completion. These must be taken during grades 10-12. Off-Campus internship
opportunities are appropriate.
Advanced Science and Technology
Electives include AP Biology, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics,
Microbiology/Physiology, Bio-Organic Chemistry, Engineering Systems
Courses in Energy, Electronics, Production, and Structures,
Architectural Drafting, Engineering Drafting (graphics), Intro-Computer
Science, AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, and selected
topics in science and engineering.
Major Study Areas
At the end of tenth grade, students
choose one major study direction – Pre-Engineering Technology,
Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences or Science and Technology
Exploration (i.e. Computer Science). The following are course
requirements for each major area of study.
Pre-engineering Technology (PET)
One
Advanced Technology STP course: Electronics/Energy Systems or
Production/Statics System
One
Drafting & Design STP course: Either Engineering or architectural
Drafting & Design
One
specific Science Elective:
Mathematics
through Pre-calculus
Research
Practicum
Biological Science
One Advanced
Chemistry course: (Either AP Chemistry or Bio/organic Chemistry)
AP Biology
One specific
Science Elective
Mathematics
through Pre-calculus
Research
Practicum
Physical Science
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
One specific
Science Elective
Mathematics
through Calculus
Research
Practicum
Computer Science
Computer
Mathematics
AP Computer
Science
One specific
Science Elective
Mathematics
through Pre-calculus
Research
Practicum
College Scholarships
Science and Technology Program
students have been recipients of a high number of college and military
scholarships, grants, and awards since the inception of the program.
Scholarship award opportunities for Oxon Hill High School have exceeded
twenty-three million dollars ($23,000,000.00) annually. Virtually all
Science and Technology students enter four year college immediately
following graduation.
Science & Technology Program Continuance and Certification Requirements
Students must progress toward and meet
the Science and Technology Program certification criteria to remain in
the program. Upon graduation, each student who has met the STP
certification criteria is awarded the Science and Technology Program
Certification of Completion.