STEM

In a momentous achievement, Bishop Shanahan High School earned its National STEM Certification from the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE), solidifying its position as a leader in STEM education. This remarkable milestone, achieved by less than 1% of schools across the nation, makes Bishop Shanahan the only school in Pennsylvania and the first Catholic school in the country to earn this distinguished honor. The school celebrated this achievement and received its certificate at a STEM Showcase and Ceremony on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.

Evolving from STEM professional development and curriculum created at Rice University, NISE STEM certificates integrate the most recent research and best practices in STEM, 21st Century Learning and professional development.

The intensive, year-long process required the Bishop Shanahan High School STEM Leadership Team to collaborate with faculty in order to enhance the school's STEM efforts as they relate to 27 program indicators, authentically apply processes and resources to elevate a culture of STEM teaching and learning across the curriculum, and increase STEM instructional capacity by having six teachers complete the National Certificate for STEM Teaching (NCST). These six teachers are: Ms. Corinne Alfano, Mrs. Janet Moore, Sister Christina Marie Roberts, IHM, Mrs. Lisa Rossana, Mrs. Jennifer Scullin, and Mrs. Michele Verratti.

Dr. Robert Moran, the Principal of Bishop Shanahan High School, stated “As a National Center for STEM Excellence, Bishop Shanahan High School recognizes that STEM is not just about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Rather, Shanahan’s vision for STEM education is for all students to consistently experience a collaborative learning environment that engages, equips, and empowers learners through authentic inquiry to think critically and creatively in order to solve real world problems. The earning of campus and STEM teacher certificates is part of our ongoing commitment to remaining at the forefront of innovative teaching and learning.”

Bishop Shanahan High School is now a beacon for educational institutions throughout
Pennsylvania and across the nation, demonstrating that with dedication and forward-thinking,
exceptional STEM education is within reach. This achievement is a testament to the outstanding educators, staff, and leadership at the school who have made it all possible.

Answering the call of national leaders in both the public and private sectors, The Bishop Shanahan STEM Program seeks to inspire the next generation of innovators by empowering students to be creative, collaborative and critical-thinking problem solvers.

According to the President's Committee on STEM Education and the National Science and Technology Council, "Establishing a path to basic STEM literacy for everyone is vital to preparing a diverse workforce needed for the United States to lead and prosper in an increasingly competitive world driven by advanced technology." To that end, the Bishop Shanahan STEM program takes an interdisciplinary approach to learning, where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world applications and students use STEM in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the wider world.

Our program seeks to ensure all BSHS students graduate with fluency in basic STEM literacy and provide students who express a particular interest and aptitude in STEM with a pathway to success in college, career and beyond.

STEM Pathways inspires the next generation of innovators by empowering students to be creative, collaborative and critical-thinking problem solvers. This program takes an interdisciplinary approach to learning, where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world applications. Shanahan students use STEM in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the wider world. The program ensures all BSHS students graduate with fluency in basic STEM literacy and provides a pathway to success in college, career and beyond.

Year-by-Year Overview

At the conclusion of sophomore year, students who express a particular interest and aptitude in STEM will be invited to apply for the STEM Certificate Program. Students who successfully complete the STEM Certificate Program will graduate Bishop Shanahan with an official certificate denoting their participation in the program, and that they have displayed advanced proficiency in STEM. To apply for the STEM Certificate Program, students must have an overall average of 85, and have successfully completed geometry with at least an 85.

Requirements:

• 2 credits in STEM Electives

• Attendance at all STEM Certificate Events (Speaker Series, field trips, etc.)
• Active membership on the STEM Team
• Senior STEM Capstone Project

Bishop Shanahan High School has its own excellent departments of science, technology and mathematics, with extensive courses available for all grades. Our classrooms are state-of-the-art and support 21st century learning and class needs. Details about these departments can be viewed in the full Course Catalog here.

All are welcome to join the Science Research Club! There will be many different roles to fill! 20 student projects will participate in a virtual Chester County Science Research Competitions. Some projects will move on to the Delaware Valley Science Fair!