Blair STEM magnet experience - deep math and/or real world problem solving?

[Anonymous]

[list]Recently someone said the STEM magnet at Blair is focused on equations and individual work, while the Engineering program at Wheaton is more hands on, group work, and using math in action. My kids loves math and engineering, and is most interested in hands on projects and problem solving. Any insight from someone in the Magnet at Blair? Is it really just nose to the board equation solving? We are planning to go to the open house, but was hoping to hear feedback here as well. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Blair is sooo much better on a million different levels

[Anonymous]

Please - it's great but Wheaton can be better depending on the child's interests. There's also less competition for clubs and grades which helps kids thrive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[list]Recently someone said the STEM magnet at Blair is focused on equations and individual work, while the Engineering program at Wheaton is more hands on, group work, and using math in action. My kids loves math and engineering, and is most interested in hands on projects and problem solving. Any insight from someone in the Magnet at Blair? Is it really just nose to the board equation solving? We are planning to go to the open house, but was hoping to hear feedback here as well. Thank you!

Yes.

[Anonymous]

I think parents say that to justify sending their kids. It’s the same classes. They accelerate kids in slower math tracks. It adds an extra class to the day and little choice in classes. It’s great for some kids but look at it carefully. We declined.

[Anonymous]

The extra period is really an issue for many kids. It adds an additional course so it can compound stress and also take away time they could spend on other activities. Wheaton does not have that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please - it's great but Wheaton can be better depending on the child's interests. There's also less competition for clubs and grades which helps kids thrive.

But Wheaton's a "W" school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The extra period is really an issue for many kids. It adds an additional course so it can compound stress and also take away time they could spend on other activities. Wheaton does not have that.

All kids have the option to take study hall instead of an extra class. The longer day is mostly a bussing issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think parents say that to justify sending their kids. It’s the same classes. They accelerate kids in slower math tracks. It adds an extra class to the day and little choice in classes. It’s great for some kids but look at it carefully. We declined.

The same classes? No it is not.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like your problem is that Blair is not a trade school.

[Anonymous]

I probably read the same posts as you talking about Wheaton and Blair and how Wheaton is very hands on and collaborative.

The Wheaton open house was good, although we didn't spend too much time in the engineering section. We did see how they design aircraft wings, calculate how they would behave, then print them on a 3D printer and test in a wind tunnel to compare.

A magnet kid was enthusiastically telling us about a robot they built (that we were watching work). It was part of the robotics club so magnet and non magnet kids were working together.

The engineering academy looked good too. I am interested in seeing the Blair STEM academy to see how it compares, especially engineering because Blair doesn't have an engineering magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The extra period is really an issue for many kids. It adds an additional course so it can compound stress and also take away time they could spend on other activities. Wheaton does not have that.

All kids have the option to take study hall instead of an extra class. The longer day is mostly a bussing issue.

No, the first year was a required class. We asked to opt out and were told no as it confliced with an outside sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think parents say that to justify sending their kids. It’s the same classes. They accelerate kids in slower math tracks. It adds an extra class to the day and little choice in classes. It’s great for some kids but look at it carefully. We declined.

The same classes? No it is not.

Functions is a consolidated math class. They aren't going deeper if they are doing two years of math into one. They are doing less math and a child who started Algebra in 6th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think parents say that to justify sending their kids. It’s the same classes. They accelerate kids in slower math tracks. It adds an extra class to the day and little choice in classes. It’s great for some kids but look at it carefully. We declined.

The same classes? No it is not.

Functions is a consolidated math class. They aren't going deeper if they are doing two years of math into one. They are doing less math and a child who started Algebra in 6th.

You can look at the electives here.

https://old.mbhs.edu/departments/magnet/courses_sci.php

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The extra period is really an issue for many kids. It adds an additional course so it can compound stress and also take away time they could spend on other activities. Wheaton does not have that.

All kids have the option to take study hall instead of an extra class. The longer day is mostly a bussing issue.

No, the first year was a required class. We asked to opt out and were told no as it confliced with an outside sport.

This must have changed recently. When my kid was there they specifically recommended study halls for kids in sports since they often leave early.