Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

Infobox School


principal = Dr. Jeff Mathews
established = 2007
district = Gwinnett County Public Schools
type = Charter
grades = 9-12, but not currently offering 11-12 until following years
location = 100 Building, 3737 Brock Road Duluth, GA 30078
enrollment = 177
campus = Suburban
motto = "Infinite Possibilities..."
information =678-473-6292
mascot =
colors = Silver and Teal
website = http://www.gsmst.info/index.php

The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology is a charter school founded in 2007. The current principal is Dr. Jeff Mathews. It currently resides in the 100 & parts of the 200 building of the Duluth High School Campus, Duluth, Georgia. A permanent campus is currently being built for it at the geographic center of Lawrenceville, Georgia. The new campus is projected for completion in 2010. The school is designed to be academically challenging, with focuses on math, science, technology, and the integration of subjects into each other. Each upcoming school year a maximum of 250 freshmen will be added, culminating in a student body of 1000 students when the new campus is finished.

School History

The School had its charter approved in March 2006 by the Gwinnett County Board of Education and was approved by the Gwinnett County Board of Education in July 2006. The school opened in fall of 2007. Its funding was approved by voters for SPLOST.

Courses

This school offers high-level courses that challenge the students enrolled. These first semester ninth-grade courses include Advanced Chemistry, Advanced Geometry, Advanced Algebra 2, Language Arts/Humanities, AP Human Geography/humanities, I-Set/Engineering, Foreign Languages including Chinese and Spanish (I and II), and fine arts classes. These courses compress a years worth of class into one semester. This allows the students to gain 5 Carnegie units per semester. The main focus of the courses is mathematics, science, and technology. Each course is designed to integrate material from other courses into its own lessons, in order to show the history and practical applications of each course to life. For example, when the Chinese course is covering Chinese pictographs, math teachers may educate their students on the mathematics applied to these pictographs. A new course plan was added after school began known as horizontal classes. Instead of taking a semester to cover a year's worth of school, the students take a year, but are caught up the next year so that the whole student body will end with the same amount of credits.

Technology

Technology is a major factor in the teaching process at the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology. These are just a few of the systems used in classrooms.

Classroom Performance System

The Classroom Performance System is a way of taking tests and quizzes electronically. It consists of many small remote transmitters and a receiver that is connected to a computer. Each student's answers are listed and graded in the included program, and are then stored in a gradebook.

Promethean Board

The Promethean Board is an interactive board used in conjunction with a projector. This board is mounted on a wall and used in teaching lessons. Teachers can type on their computer, and have the text projected on the board. They can also write on the board using a special magnetic pen. Also, teachers can use images that come preloaded with the board's software, and manipulate them in a variety of ways to demonstrate the material they are teaching. For more information on the Promethean Board, go to the [http://www.prometheanworld.com/us/server/show/nav.2462/ Promethean Activboard Website]

Laptops

Every student and teacher is provided with a laptop computer. These business-oriented computers are loaded with software, like Fathom 2 (a statistical program), the Macromedia MX suite (replaced with Adobe CS3), and Autodesk Inventor 2008. The computers also come with a fingerprint reader and a camera. (camera disabled) For more information on the laptops, see the [http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2987&review=ThinkPad+Z61m Lenovo Z61m Review]

Clubs and Fine Arts

Fine Arts

The school's Fine Arts programs are electives. The band (taught by Mr. M. Applebottom), orchestra (taught by Dr. D. Richardson), and the art class (taught by Ms. Williams).

Clubs and Extracurricular Activities

Art Club

Sponsored by: Ms. Williams

Designed to expose student to more artistic experiences such as mural painting and jewelry making. All students are welcome to join.

ASE

Sponsored by: Dr. Richardson

ASE is a club that is auditioned for and is only for orchestra players of "high standards". ASE stands for Advanced String Ensemble and is pronounced like "Ace" because the members are considered to be elite string players. All of the students who play are of great significance and are required to meet every Friday after school. At Gwinnett County's 2008 LGPE (Large Group Performance Evaluation), ASE performed Telemann's "Don Quixote Suite", Lucas's "Serenade for Strings", and Fletcher's "Folk Tune and Fiddle Dance"- a highly challenging repertoire for freshmen. The orchestra scored all Superiors (the highest award) even in sight-reading.

Debate Team

Sponsored by: Senora Steele

Members learn the art of debate, prepare debate topics and debate relevant topics. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn how to argue a point respectfully and intelligently while listening to and understanding different perspectives on various issues.

The debate team's first competition was in Birmingham, Alabama on November 9th and 10th 2007.

Digital Media Club

Sponsored by: Mr. Gegen

Provides an opportunity for students to explore, develop and create digital multimedia. In Digital Media Club, students use programs like Adobe CS3 to create media. Currently, the Digital Media Club is working on producing morning and afternoon announcements (close-circuit television broadcasts).

Joy Luck Club

Sponsored by: Ms. Qiu

The Joy Luck Club provides students with opportunities to learn and appreciate various aspects of Chinese culture, such as watching Chinese movies, and listening to both traditional and contemporary Chinese music. Following the tradition of the original Chinese Club, we will also be enjoying our status as the Ping-pong club.

Key Club

Sponsored by: Ms. S. Hughes

A community service organization requiring 50 hours of service each year.

Model United Nations

Sponsored by: Ms. Hammontree

The Model United Nations club investigates current issues facing our global community and develops solutions to these issues. Club members attend regional Model UN conferences with other high schools around the region where these issues are addressed as a United Nations simulation.

Navigators

Sponsored by: Ms. Williams

Students dedicated to building and assisting GSMST through community outreach and service. Navigators will serve and assist students, parents, visitors and the community.

Robotics

Sponsored by: Dr. Lockert

The robotics club concentrates on the design, construction, programming, and control of VEX robots. Student groups will be provided with robot kits, sensors, remote controllers, and programming instructions. Competitions will be held by the club as well as participating in nationally organized events. It is also expected for the club to start using other types of robotic design systems in Year 2. By Year 3, the club may participate in FRC, one of the nation's largest robotics competitions.

cholars' Bowl

Sponsored by: Mr. Garrison

Scholars' Bowl is a competitive group that participates in area academic tournaments. Topics include art, literature, math, science, music, and history.

cience Olympiad

Sponsored by: Ms. S. Hughes

Science Olympiad is a state-wide science competition against other schools. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology will send a team of students in this club to the competition. However, GSMST was not able to perform very well on their first year.

panish Club

Sponsored by: Senora Steele

Students have the opportunity to learn about Spanish-speaking countries. They learn dances, eat great food and learn interesting and fun facts about Spanish-speaking countries.

tudent Government

Sponsored by: Ms. Biehl

Student Government Association is an official link between the student body and the faculty and administration of GSMST. SGA will serve as a governing body for the development and promotion of student affairs. This organization shall also serve to advance and improve student participation in school activities, promote school spirit, and encourage civic responsibilities. SGA will sponsor and participate in numerous activities/events throughout the school year to help form a closer relationship between the students, faculty, and administration at GSMST.

Yearbook

Sponsored by: Brandy Walker

The yearbook staff will decide on the format and layout of the first annual yearbook of GSMST, while making it interestingly and accurately represent the activities of the school. Copies cost approx. $27, and were to be preordered during the summer orientation in June. All students are encouraged to submit their own pictures for consideration in the yearbook, and appreciated to alert staff members of important or interesting events that will be happening during the school year.

Infinity News Network

The Infinity News Network is a morning show that's produced by the Gwinnett School of Math, Science, and Technology. It is produced by the GSMST Digital Media Club.

Press

This school was featured in the AJC newspaper on October 2, 2007. [cite news
url=http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/63261.html
title=Challenging charter; Students pile up credits quickly in new math-science-tech school
last=Diamond
first=Laura
work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
publisher=Government Innovators Network
date=2007-10-7
accessdate=2007-11-13]

Notes

References

* cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology homepage.
work =
publisher = Gwinnett County Public Schools
date =
url = http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/schooldom/gsmst/gsmathsciencetech.nsf
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-10-11