Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) Course Descriptions
Biology
The biology course emphasizes conceptual understanding and applied, hands-on experience. Under the guidance of the instructor, students will apply theoretical knowledge to laboratory exercises and experiments. The introductory lesson assumes no former experience in biology and each subsequent lesson builds upon the previous. This unique curriculum ensures that all students will begin the program with an equal opportunity to learn and challenge themselves. Each semester focuses on a different subtopic. No prerequisite is necessary for entry and all eligible students are welcome to apply.
Chemistry
The chemistry course ensures that all students will be able to learn the necessary theoretical material and apply it through laboratory experiments. The introductory lesson assumes no former experience in chemistry and each subsequent lesson builds upon the previous. In previous summer STEP chemistry courses, students learned to apply research methods to a specific project under the guidance of their instructor. They also had the opportunity to present their research findings to their STEP peers and instructor. No prerequisite is necessary for entry and all eligible students are welcome to apply.
Mathematics
The mathematics course offerings vary from semester to semester, but maintain a high level of rigor and applicability. Students enrolled in these courses typically gain a new mathematical perspectives and enhance their knowledge, which complements their high school mathematics curriculum. Previous courses have covered Discrete Mathematics, Algebra I, Algebra II and Trigonometry, Pre-calculus, and many other topics; a complete listing can be made available upon request. No prerequisite is necessary for entry and all eligible students are welcome to apply.
Robotics
Students in the Robotics course learn basic engineering principles and vital programming concepts typically found in a computer science and/or engineering curriculum. The instructor assists students as they build robots capable of sensing their surroundings, meeting a specific goal (i.e., navigating a complex pathway, redirecting a ball into a net, etc.) and learn about research topics associated with robotics. Students who show exceptional promise are chosen by the instructor to assist in designing an elaborate robot and will be expected to complete certain a set of tasks designated by the STEP Statewide Student Conference held annually in upstate NY. In this conference, students are given the opportunity to showcase their hard work to their STEP peers and build professional development skills before they enter college. No prerequisite is necessary for entry and all eligible students are welcome to apply.
SAT Prep
Our SAT preparation course gives students an added edge to pass the SAT with potentially competitive scores for colleges nationwide. Students learn not only the necessary academic material, but basic college application details typically not found in other SAT Prep courses. In addition, students are given individualized academic coaching to ensure that they are able to properly cope with exam pressure. Problem areas for each individual student are targeted and methodically strengthened so that students can feel confident upon test day. This component is only open to high school juniors and seniors, and they are strongly encouraged to apply. No prerequisite is necessary for entry.
