Faculty Council Agenda

10/19/1999

Hill 19 at 3:45

1. Announcements

2. Mini-term questions (if there are any) (Tom Clayton) (5 min)

3. College Recs (Gail Hudson) (5 min)

4. Third Decade (1 hour)

Below is a draft of what I think we said last time and last year, probably with some of my "spin" on it. This assumes we have the students described in the first paragraph below. We will continue to talk at this meeting about what we want in our program to meet the needs of these students. Hopefully we will also have time to describe what the faculty needs to look like to accomplish this! My goal is to have this third decade conversation finished by our 11/2 meeting (and we still have to talk about how we address our second mission of service to NC.) I have listed some potential things to consider in our conversation.

Hope to see you at the meeting.

Dot

The program at NCSSM strives to meet the needs of North Carolina by providing a unique learning environment for students who are talented in and accomplished in math, science and technology. We want to attract and enroll motivated students who are talented in math and science and interested in achieving excellence in all areas of their educational experience. These students will want to participate in a stimulating, academic and residential experience that furthers their scientific and mathematical knowledge in innovative ways and encourages the development of their reading, writing, analytic, artistic, social and physical abilities.

Modification of ideas expressed during school year 98-99 and meeting of 10/5/99

What can our program do to meet the needs of our students of the future?

1. We have a broader computer science curriculum to include opportunities beyond introductory programming for students who are interested in this area. These might include courses, independent studies and mentorships.

2. We have up-to-date, high quality technology available in reasonable quantities both in and out of class. This technology might include computers, calculators, probes, microscopes, other scientific equipment, media for listening and viewing (VCRs, overheads), etc.

3. We have physical spaces that are conducive to a wide variety of teaching methods including lab work, small group work, class lecture. Labs are designed so students can work independently on projects when appropriate.

4. We provide opportunities for students to enhance the background they bring with them in a manner that permits students to be successful without being overwhelmed.

5. We address the physical well being of the students with regard to nutrition, rest and play. We accomplish this by providing adequate, appealing and varied food; comfortable living spaces; many and varied recreational activities that appeal to students with different interests.

6. We have graduation requirements that are rigorous yet flexible. Graduation requirements reflect the special math and science nature of our school yet also help produce students who have a variety of strengths, are articulate, well-read, and are good citizens. There are ways to waive requirements when appropriate and supported by the discipline.

7. We use the expertise of alums and others in the Durham area to help teach our students or help us learn ourselves.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Do we want our program to be more project based, independent work, course based, AP focused,

Interdisciplinary, include a 10^th grade?