School Name:	Capitol Region Education Council: Greater Hartford Academy of Math ...	School Calendar
State:	Connecticut (CT)
School URL:	http://www.crec.org/ghamas
NES Year Joined:	2007
Description:	Greater Hartford Academy of Math and Science Located in Hartford, Connecticut, the Greater Hartford Academy of Mathematics & Science (GHAMAS) is a magnet high school serving students in more than 23 of the capitol region’s urban and suburban school districts. GHAMAS evolved through a partnership between the participating school districts and the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC). GHAMAS is located at the Learning Corridor, a vibrant 16-acre campus adjecent to Trinity College and home to three other inter-district magnet schools, a performing arts theater, and a community recreation center. GHAMAS is also a member of Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance’s revitalization initiative to restore Hartford’s South End. GHAMAS is a member of The National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science & Technology (NCSSSMST). NCSSSMST is the nation’s foremost alliance of schools dedicated to transform¬ing mathematics, science, and technology education. As member schools, GHAMAS and the 79 other select institutions of the NCSSSMST collaborate to develop, test, implement, and disseminate exemplary programs in mathematics, science, and technology. As a part-day program, 240 students in grades 9 through 12 participate in a rigorous curriculum of advanced mathematics and science classes at GHAMAS. Classes are integrated throughout the curriculum and students often spend more than 90% of their instructional time in laboratory settings. Students then return to their local, comprehensive schools to complete humanities, physical education, and other required coursework. Through the NES program, GHAMAS has a greatly expanded industry partnership program. Most promising is a burgeoning collaboration with Hamilton Sundstrand that has, among other things, forged a new path for students to enter the STEM career pipeline.
Executive Summary:	Executive Summary The NASA Explorer School (NES) program will help develop an excitement and interest in STEM areas and careers beginning with 7th grade students and continuing in programs for students at the high school level. Students in the younger grades will actively participate in inquiry-based, “hands-on” experience which will lead to a solid background in STEM subjects and eventually to independent research projects in high school with guidance from teachers and support from local industry partners such as Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky and Hamilton Sun Strand. To improve the content knowledge of CREC teachers, the NASA program will provide professional development in STEM subjects appropriate for all ages which can be accomplished by workshops conducted by a NASA scientist or by long-distance learning. Elementary and middle school teachers will need focus on inquiry-based NASA projects while high school teachers will benefit from the cutting-edge content knowledge of professionals in the field. Teachers will also benefit from workshops offered by NES partners and specific NASA workshops in various space centers located around the country. Science curriculum in the elementary, middle and high school will be aligned with the Connecticut State Science Standards with the incorporation of NASA resources. NASA resources, earth and space imagery which tracks changes and uses real-time data will be infused into the curriculum. In addition, NASA scientists and community partners will be available to help with content for a new school planetarium and guidance in the use of sophisticated scientific instrumentation for on going classes and research. Video conferencing will be infused into the curriculum for students to help expand their knowledge in specific STEM subjects and career opportunities. Students exposed to real scientists may see connections with science subjects and possibilities in the job market. In addition, an Annual Careers Exploration Symposium will draw speakers from major Connecticut technical firms and universities. Students will participate in site visits at science research and development facilities. A Guest Speaker Series with professors from local universities and businesses will be put into place. Community outreach will be achieved by special events involving NASA and partners such as Family Science Night, Science Saturday, BioBlitz, Star Parties, Invention Nights, and family participation in field trips. By establishing these connections the program goals will be sustained long after the three year partnership with NASA. CREC has a unique opportunity to reach beyond the three schools. Every professional opportunity will be offered not only to our 3 schools but to educators within surrounding the 35 school districts in the CREC region.

Activities for year: 2007 2008 2009 All Years

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Read About Planned and Completed Activities
Name	Short Description	Reflection	Evidence

March 2009
Rduced Gravity Opportunity & Johnson Space Center	Four Hartford magnet school teachers are in Houston to test a student-designed experiment at NASA on how to pack cargo for tr...

June 2009
International Space Station Presentation - NESC	The regional NES Coordinator met with a few middle school students to present facts and updates about the International Space...

September 2009
DLN about Hubble's newest images	GHAMAS was selected by NASA for a special DLN with General Bolden, and Hubble astronauts and project manager on the day that ...

October 2009
"We Have A Job For You"	"We Have A Job For You" How many companies can say that? Hamilton Sunstrand presented to students about careers in STEM.
A visit to MIT	100 GHANAS tudents visited 6 labs at MIT in Boston
DLN about Hubble's newest images	GHAMAS was selected by NASA for a special DLN with General Bolden, and Hubble astronauts and project manager on the day that ...
Inserting Math into science	Providing professional development to teachers from other CREC schools
Preparation for DLN on Sep. 10. 2010	40 students will gather to learn about the history of the Hubble project and all its missions
Satellites - Lecture by GRC NESC	The GRC NESC presented a lecture on satellites to some of our 7-8th graders as well as a few of our 10-11th grade students.
Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise Swiftly Flow the Days, Swiftly Fly the Years	This inquiry based activity will help you help your students visualize and understand the motion of the Earth relative to the...