In May 2009, the Wisconsin Tech Council called on state business leaders and educators to encourage greater emphasis on STEM education throughout the state. In an article published by BizTimes.com, Ryann Petit-Frere of the Wisconsin Technology Council said that “Wisconsin has an opportunity to get a leap ahead of the nation and produce graduates in the fields that we know have high growth potential, the fields in science, technology, engineering and math.” That same month, a report from the Public Policy Forum said that Wisconsin needed to do more to prepare students for careers in the STEM Fields, especially since Wisconsin students currently score above the national average on science and math tests, and more than 40% of the state's college-bound students indicate an interest in STEM-related majors (as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
The STEM program offered at Wisconsin Virtual Learning is answering that call. At WVL, we are just as focused on science and mathematics education as our state leaders and STEM professionals.
WVL’s Cutting Edge Science program is unlike any other kind in the state. Developed by Lincoln Interactive, this innovative curriculum covers topics including computer engineering, bio-fuels, genetics, sports medicine, alternative energy, stem-cell research forensics and much more. Lincoln Interactive, has partnered with experts from Los Alamos National Laboratory, the California University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University to develop this state of the art and cutting-edge STEM curriculum.
The program, taught entirely online, uses videos, digital labs, simulations, multimedia, and online video chats to engage students and explore some of the more pressing topics in STEM education today. Our 20+ courses (with more added every semester!) are open to all middle and high school WVL students.
Here is what students currently enrolled in the program are saying:
“I have taken epidemiology, stem cell research, and am now taking forensic anthropology. My favorite so far has been stem cell research because I truly believe that it is the future of science and medicine and holds so many opportunities to cure sicknesses that people thought would never be curable.”—Lori Mahle, 11th grade
“My CES course, Biotechnology, has been very interesting in that it gives so much information as to how Biotechnology is being used today and what steps are being taken to give better food quality and medical care and how it has been used to further scientific explorations. I now know more about what goes on in making better medicines and foods and have obtained a better understanding of how common biotechnology is.”—Stephen Larson, 12th grade
“I loved my forensics class! I whizzed right through it! The book is really easy to understand and the information is very interesting!! I would definitely recommend this class to students who are bored with regular old science!”—Cheyenne Watson, 11th grade
“I took both Emerging Genetics, and Stem Cell Research. I enjoyed both courses, and I couldn't tell you which one I liked more... I’m diabetic, and have been for 14 years, so Stem Cell Research was important to me, because the cure to my disease could be in that field of research. The course helped me understand what goes into the research, and how it works. I didn't know how many diseases could be cured by Stem Cell Research! I took Emerging Genetics because that was one of my favorite parts of Biology last year. I really learned a lot from that course.”—Victoria Klein, 10th grade
“I have taken Forensics and Genetics. I would say that Forensics is my favorite because I enjoy human anatomy and the course was mostly Anthropology. I was planning to major in Forensic Science, but now I realized that is very specific. I am now considering Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Biology. I am definitely going to major in science though.”—Jen Cranmer, 11th grade
“I like that the courses are so different than the average courses you take while in high school. They are about very interesting topics that you don't expect to learn about until college. With my Forensics course I can now make more sense of all the crime shows on TV. I am considering different fields of Forensics for the future. It is definitely something I can see myself pursuing as a career.”—Emily Furl, 10th grade
Don’t you want your student to be a part of the future of Wisconsin, and this country? He can be, by enrolling in Wisconsin Virtual Learning. Call us at 866-301-0401 or visit us at www.wisconsinvl.net to learn more today!
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