Utica Center for Math, Science, and Technology
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| Utica Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (UCMST) | |
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| Location | |
|---|---|
| Sterling Heights, Michigan, United States | |
| Information | |
| Counselor | Janet Kent |
| Students | approximately 240 |
| Type | Public magnet school |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Mascot | ThunderChickens |
| Established | August 1996 |
| Homepage | UCMST |
The Utica Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (UCMST) is a four-year public non-residential magnet school located at the Joan C. Sergent Instructional Resource Center (IRC) in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The school is in the Utica Community School District. The school accepts rising freshmen from across the Utica Community School District and enrolls them through senior year. Though UCMST is a public school, enrollment is limited. The selection of the top 60-70 students from applicants is determined by academic record, performance on achievement and aptitude tests (which include a test in mathematics, science abilities, abstract and logical reasoning, and spatial relationships), and a letter of intent. UCMST is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology.
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[edit] Curriculum
Students attend the center for half of their school day to complete their science courses, and then travel back to their home school to take their humanities classes. Seniors and freshmen attend MST in the mornings while juniors and sophomores attend in the afternoon sessions.
Each student takes three courses each year. Freshman students take C++ Programming one semester and Statistics/Design of Experiments (DOE) the other semester. Freshman students also take Advanced Algebra II/Geometry and Accelerated Chemistry. Sophomore students take classes in Analysis, Biochemistry/Foundations of Research, and Advanced Biology. Junior year students take classes in Foundations of Calculus (Pre-calculus), Physics, and AP Java Programming. Senior year students are given the opportunity to take Calculus BC and two science classes (selected from AP Chemistry, AP Biology and AP Physics).
[edit] Wall of Fame
The Wall of Fame lists students who have received an honorary plaque based on academic achievement. Membership is granted only after a student has:
- Received a score higher than 110 on the AMC-12/Above a 5 on the AIME
- Received a 33 or higher on the math portion of the ACT/higher than a 733 on the SAT math section
- Received a 5 on the Calculus BC AP test
- Passed the first round of the Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition
The Wall of Fame has twelve members: Christina Falcone, Deepak Mishra, Jeffery Zylinski, Ryan Wolcott, Edward Weng, Scott Wolchok, Nick Lafrenz, Samantha Spath, Chris Angelakos. The school has graciously given Nicholas J. Sapiano an honorary spot on the Wall of Fame because he completed three of the four tasks, but failed to take the Calculus BC Exam because the Coast Guard Academy in which he enrolled does not accept Advanced Placement exam scores.
[edit] Extracurricular activities
UCMST students participate in the co-curricular and extracurricular activities at their home schools (Eisenhower High School, Henry Ford II High School, Stevenson High School, and Utica High School).
Students can also join MAC (MST Activities Council). Much like student government, it is in charge of decorations, various charity drives, and the planning of the MST events (such as MST movie nights, lock-ins, and etc.).
[edit] Lock-ins
A new UCMST event as of 2006, the students arrive at the building around 9:00 p.m. and are not allowed to leave until 6:00 a.m. (on a non-school night, of course), unless a given student must leave. The entry fee is $10 per student (to pay for the custodial fees, food, and prizes) and must be paid for before the lock-in night. The lock-ins consist of math games, chemistry games, and rolling chair relay races, with prizes ranging from candy bars to gift cards for each game. After the games, students are allowed to roam the two presentation rooms. In one presentation room, students may participate in projector screen Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, Halo, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and other popular multiplayer games, or they could play cards, karaoke, and fun board games. In the next presentation room, students can watch movies or nap if they feel too tired. In the hall between the two rooms, a few students had a CS 1.5 LAN. Free snacks, consisting of pizza, pop, and miscellaneous desserts brought in by students, are served in the main hall.
[edit] Pi Day
Every March 14th (3/14), since the founding of MST, there is an annual celebration of pi day. Class ends early and there is a pi recitation contest. The contestants must recite, from memory, as many digits of pi as they can. The 2008 school champion is Stephanie Godden with 1355 digits (also the school record); Godden was also the first student to exceed one thousand digits with a score of 1040 digits in 2008 preliminary/qualifying rounds. Chris Sigler did not continue his winning streak, but many believe he was the true winner, with an intentionally punny 1337 digits.
[edit] Fire Alarm Hot Dogs
In the 2005 and 2006 school years, the students of the UCMST have been treated to what has been come to be known as Fire Alarm Hot Dogs. A fake fire drill is called, and as the students file outside to complete the drill, they are greeted with a venerable cornucopia of hot dogs and condiments.
[edit] Sports
MST does not offer any athletic programs because the UCMST is a partial-day program. Instead, students are able to participate in the sports of their home schools. However, the FIRST Robotics competition team, the ThunderChickens, is an emphasized part of the center's curriculum. The freshmen have a field trip to the Friday preliminaries of the Detroit FIRST Regional, and all students are given cards that they can turn in to certain mentors on Saturday for extra credit.
[edit] Camp Echo Grove
One activity that is unique to the freshman class is a trip to Camp Echo Grove near the beginning of the school year. At the camp, students are put into groups where they learn the importance of teamwork and good communication through activities designed by the camp. This experience helps freshman get to know each other better, and, through the activities, teaches essential lessons for success. In the previous years, the freshman class has gone to either Joe Dumar's Fieldhouse or Camp Tamarack.
