October 20, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Dr. Gene Fite, principal at
Sumner Academy of Arts and Science,
(913) 627-7200
Sumner Academy of Arts and Science is one of five high schools across the country taking part in a national study of exemplary STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) schools.
The study, "STEM Schools of Excellence: Examining Best Practices and Characteristics," is being conducted by the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented at the University of Connecticut. The research will help the Center in its effort to create 1,000 new STEM schools in the next decade.
A team of researchers visited Sumner earlier this month to observe classes, conduct focus groups with classroom teachers and students, and interview Principal Dr. Gene Fite.
"We were honored to be chosen as a model from which baseline data could be collected for the creation of an effective STEM schools survey," Fite said. "The staff and students were excited and welcomed the researchers into the building. All were eager to show what we have and what we can do."
He said he was especially proud of the student focus group. Shortly after that session, one researcher asked Fite, "How do you get them to do this?" His response was, "I don't get them to do anything. They choose to be exemplary students and we just do our best to provide them the support they need to get there."
The data collected will help the Center to highlight important curriculum, teacher and school characteristics that are common among successful STEM schools.
"Our students made us proud and were outstanding representatives of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools and the Kansas City, Kansas community," Fite added.
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