Innovation Scholars Program

The Innovation Concentration Program is designed to provide students interested in pursing STEM in college and/or as a career with an immersive foundational experience at the high school level.

Innovation Students will gain real life STEM experience through internships and research in addition to our rigorous STEM courses offered sophomore to senior year. Upon graduation, our Innovation Concentration students will be well positioned for success at both the college level and ready for future pursuits.

ALL YEARS

• Maintain a minimum general average of 92 for the remainder of their time at GMA.
• Course Requirements: Physics, Calculus, and three of the following courses
  • AP Computer Science Principles, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, Honors Engineering, Advanced Engineering, Applied Computer Science and Robotics, AP Computer Science A*, Statistics, AP Statistics, AP Calc A/B, AP Calc B/C
• Maintain active participation in The Invention and Innovation Team
• Regular meetings with the Program Chair regarding senior year research project progress

SOPHOMORE YEAR

• Written research project proposal by the end of sophomore year to advance in the program
• Research internship opportunities to support your senior research project

JUNIOR YEAR

• Complete an outside of school STEM related internship (before the fall of senior year)+
• Write an essay about the internship experience and how it will help complete your research project.
• Submit a finalized research project proposal complete with a procedure and required materials.

SENIOR YEAR

• Complete senior research project to be graded according to a rubric.
• End of year project presentation 

GRADUATION

• Passing students will receive a special distinction upon graduation.
• Earn an extra half credit for the completion of the senior research project.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Complete All Application Requirements by Monday, March 25, 2024
  • Written Essay
  • Interview
  • Consideration of Current Math and Science Grades
• Current 9th graders apply at course selection time.
• Applications are Reviewed by a Committee

* Class can be taken in 10th grade
+ Ideally, this internship would be related to the students’ proposed senior year research project.