Students explore science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on projects and Capstone experiences, building skills, leadership, and a professional portfolio with support from courses, mentoring, and the Makerspace.

The STEM concentration caters to students who have a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It offers an immersive experience in these fields, allowing students to engage in hands-on projects, experiments, and problem-solving activities. Students delve into subjects like advanced mathematics, computer programming, robotics, physics, and engineering design. This concentration equips students with the analytical and technical skills necessary for careers in STEM-related fields.

Senior Capstone

The program's four-year course progression culminates in the senior capstone class, STEM Inquiry and Problem Solving. Capstone students have several options for projects – an internship experience, on- or off-campus research opportunities, and/or an independent study of advanced coursework beyond what is offered at BGA. Throughout the capstone course, students will further develop their leadership and communication skills, through interacting with STEM professionals and teaching STEM lessons at our Lower School. The course culminates with students developing a portfolio of their experiences and reflecting on their motivations and goals.

STEM Concentration Courses

STEM Concentration students are equipped with the ability to:

  • Generate answerable questions,
  • Analyze and visualize data sets,
  • Approach problem solving from diverse perspectives,
  • Understand the complexity and interconnectedness of STEM fields,
  • Connect with individuals working in STEM careers,
  • Communicate in various modalities,
  • Work independently on a capstone project/ experience.

Concentration Requirements:  2.5 Academic Credits*

Required Courses

  • Physics (1 credit) -  Students choose between Conceptual Physics, Physics Honors or AP Physics to meet this requirement.
  • Senior STEM Capstone (.5 credit) - Offered in spring semester of 12th grade
    • Capstone Project Options
      • Internship
      • Research Opportunities
      • Independent study of advanced coursework not offered at BGA
    • Students may complete the bulk of their Capstone project prior to enrolling in the Capstone course, but they are still required to enroll in this class to earn the STEM distinction.

Elective Courses (Must complete 2.0 credits from at least 3 STEM areas)

  • Science: 
    • Anatomy & Physiology I (.5 credit)
    • Anatomy & Physiology II (.5 credit)
    • Forensics (.5 credit)
    • Marine Biology (.5 credit)
    • Molecular Biology of Disease I (.5 credit)
    • Molecular Biology of Disease II (.5 credit)
    • Scientific Data (.5 credit)
    • AP Chemistry (1 credit)
    • AP Biology (1 credit)
    • AP Physics - if 2nd Physics class (1 credit)
  • Technology:
    • Programming  I (.5 credit)
    • Intro to Computer Science (.5 credit)
    • AP Computer Science Principles (1 credit)
    • AP Computer Science A (1 credit)
  • Engineering:
    • Conceptual Engineering (.5 credit)
    • Fabrication & Design Methods (.5 credit)
    • Robotics (.5 credit)
  • Mathematics:
    • Managerial Finance (.5 credit)
    • Problem Solving (.5 credit)
    • Statistics - in addition to Calculus/ AP Calculus (1 credit)
    • AP Statistics - in addition to Calculus/ AP Calculus (1 credit)

*These credits are beyond the math and science credits required for graduation.

Students must complete 2.0 credits from a minimum of 3 STEM areas prior to the spring semester, Senior STEM Capstone. 

STEM Concentration FAQs
How many classes in each letter of STEM does a student have to take?

Students need to take 1 class from 3 of the letters in STEM. Some students may choose to take a semester course (0.5 credit) from each of the 4 letters to earn the 2.0 total credits required.

Does AP Physics count towards a credit in STEM as a senior after taking Physics Honors as a junior?

Physics at any level (Conceptual, Honors, AP) can be taken by students to earn the third Science credit needed for graduation requirements. If students elect to take AP Physics during their senior year after Honors Physics in the junior year, AP Physics can then count as 0.5 credits of Science elective (as only half the credit will be earned prior to the Capstone course)

Does AP Statistics count towards a STEM credit?

If AP Statistics is taken in addition to the required Math credit for graduation, it can count towards the STEM credits. AP Statistics cannot count for both STEM and Math graduation requirements.

When will my student take the STEM Capstone course? When will they do their internship/research/project? How will they make connections for their experiential piece?

Students will take the STEM Capstone course in the spring semester of senior year. Students can begin their experiential component as early as the spring of junior year and will work with the Concentration Director to solidify their plans. The Concentration Director can help make connections (internships and research opportunities) or strengthen relationships students already have to assist in their experiential learning piece.

What are the requirements for the STEM project ahead of the capstone class? What kind of opportunities count toward this project and how much of a time commitment is involved?

Students can complete the experiential piece of the Capstone project in a variety of ways. Students can participate in an internship experience or work in a research laboratory, and these experiences could be completed over the course of consecutive days in the summer or can be spread out over multiple weeks depending on the individual experience.

Alternatively, students can propose projects to be completed on campus with a mentor. These proposals would be made junior year, and the student could work on them after approval at their own pace. Students with other Capstone project ideas can be made to the Concentration Director for consideration.

What types of experiences will students have in the Capstone course?

Students will have opportunities to engage with professionals in the field of STEM and to work collaboratively to solve problems. Students will have arrived at the Capstone class via varied coursework and experiences, and they will need to leverage their knowledge to solve cross-curricular problems. An emphasis will also be placed on becoming better communicators and the ability to tailor their content to their audience's level of background information. Time will also be provided for students to perfect their presentation of their experiential learning component.

What is more impressive to colleges - pursuing the STEM concentration or taking four years of a world language?

Completing BGA graduation requirements meets the requirements of admission for most colleges; however, colleges like to see students who go beyond their minimum academic requirements which could include pursuing a world language to a third or fourth year. With intentional planning, students can take four years of language AND complete the STEM concentration requirements. For students whose schedules do not align to allow pursuing both, it’s recommended to have a conversation with a member of The College Center team to find out the best academic pathway for the student that aligns with their interests and values.

Mentoring Opportunities

Throughout the year, the STEM program hosts outside experts and leaders for lunch and learns, class discussions, and more. If you're interested in coming to talk with our students, serving as a mentor during our Capstone season, or partnering with the program to provide real-world learning opportunities to our students, please contact BGA STEM Director Jenn Demers at [email protected]

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