Hamilton High School has a robust and well established STEM program which was established in 2008 in a partnership with the University of Arizona.  We were the first in the district and the state to offer a collegel level engineering course that received college credit from a state University.

 Program Goal and Philosophy

• Get students to complete the first year of an engineering degree while still in High School

• Philosophy 
  • Advanced students take as much science and math every year at as high a level as possible 
    • Targeting students at least 1 year ahead in math 
    • Take honors math and science starting in grade 9 
    • Culminate in completion of at least 2 ap science courses and at least calculus AB 
      • ENGINEERING 102 AS SENIORS 

Implementation 

• Focus on science and math classes, not engineering until year 4 
• Suggested course map 
• The culminating course is Engineering 102 (UA course #ENGR102), for seniors only.
  • College level engineering class focused on using science and math skills to implement the engineering process in various projects
    • Students in ENGR102 must be co-enrolled or have completed AP Physics C and AP Calculus AB
    • acquired during the first 3 years of High School.
  • Engineers must have science/math skills not just technical skills 
  • Focus on predicting performance before building (actual engineering practice) 
• Comparison with CTE Engineering courses (Project Lead the Way-PLTW):
  • CTE/PLTW 
    • Exploratory for on-level students 
    • Hands on 
    • Post HS career focus 
    • Technical certifications  
    • Fewer math/science requirements 
  •  HHS STEM 
    • Rigorous math/science for advanced students
    • Hands on plus math/science integration
    • Links to projects 
    • College engineering degree focus