The Science And Math Club

It is our desire at Grace Brethren Schools to give each student the opportunity to develop to the full potential for which he or she was created. Therefore, in the fall of 2008, we introduced the Science and Math Club, known as SAM. SAM Club is designed to provide for the needs of our highest achieving students in grades five and six.

The first step in creating the SAM Club program was determining criteria for student identification. Our highest achieving students are identified on the basis of Stanford test scores in Math, Science and Thinking Skills as well as the previous year’s grades in math and science and a teacher recommendation. Once this information is acquired, students are ranked and then invited to the program. The class size is limited.

Our prime emphasis is to provide higher level thinking skills and problem solving experiences primarily in the areas of math and the sciences. To extend the process of learning beyond class, students will often need to sort through ideas and thoughts and make decisions before coming to class. We have weekly activity problems and puzzles to encourage critical thinking skills.

SAM Club is a year long program and it is different from year to year since there is so much to be learned! This year’s program will have an emphasis on the optics and Newtonian physics, particularily building a telescope at the end. The student will learn the basic principles of light, mirrors, convex and concave refection, incidents of reflection, how to build a telescope, and the electromagnetic spectrum.  Participants are expected to adhere to academic and behavioral standards.