E3 STEM

Our proven and unique E³ STEM Program at AVHS is an optional path to take within our Award Winning Triple A School that focuses on the Exploration, Education and Employment of our students in all STEM career possibilities. While AVHS has a STEM For All philosophy, this program gives students a chance to sign up and dig deeper into what STEM can offer after they graduate.

This program is designed to connect Apple Valley students with a variety of experiences that will prepare them for postsecondary education and careers in STEM fields.  We provide opportunities for free college credits, connections with local business partners, real-world problem-solving experiences, and support services to help each student reach his/her full potential.  Within the program, students select a career pathway that guides their course selection and their job shadow and mentoring opportunities.  Students have access to individualized career and college counseling, tutoring in math and science, the support of our cohort model, and workshops on career readiness. 

While enrolled in E³ STEM you will have more opportunities to explore STEM careers than there are days that we are in school. These experiences happen in field trips, career counseling, 1 on 1 with business professionals, college tours, clubs & activities, job shadowing & internship possibilities, and more! 

Below is only a small sampling of what has been offered at AVHS around STEM Exploration:

The Legacy I-3 Core Development Program: Legacy I-3 is a workforce development provider offering Apple Valley High School students to take advantage of future careers at Thomson Reuters and other local companies. The Legacy CORE Student Development Program provides high intensity training to students in the areas of Character, Logic and Reasoning, Academic Excellence, and Workforce /Career Readiness to help students succeed personally, academically, and professionally. The Legacy CORE program partners with companies such as EXCEL and Thomson Reuters in order to match talented students with future job opportunities.

Construction Trades Training Career Exploration Program: The Carpenters and Joiners Apprenticeship and Journeyman Training Center offers AVHS seniors the opportunity to complete a 5 weeks, 2-4 hours per day pre-apprenticeship course on-site at Apple Valley High School in the Woods workshop. Within the program students will learn the basic fundamentals of carpentry, standard equipment safety and operation, introduction to technology within the trade and potential jobsite visits. This is designed to be a pathway towards apprenticeship and a career in the construction industry. Student will have the opportunity to apply for full-time jobs through this program and continue their apprenticeship training while employed in the trade.

Mayo Clinic Career Immersion Program: Discover what a career in health care looks like and get an exclusive inside look at a wide range of health care careers. Be a part of a talented group of diverse, Minnesota high school incoming juniors and seniors at our week-long Career Immersion Program. Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences will pull back the curtain and share insights and information about several careers most students don’t even know exist.

Education is the base of what we do at AVHS. While all students can take the following courses due to our STEM For All philosophy, these course play directly with how our students explore future employment opportunities. taking one or all of these courses would help shape a student to be comfortable in all aspects of a STEM education - and they are all offered at AVHS! Here is a sample of STEM courses offered at AVHS:

Drone Construction, Modification and Flight 3005 + Advanced Drone Construction 3050
As the uses of drones continues to grow in society, this course will allow students to create and design their own drones through the use of our International Fabrication Lab and E3STEM program. The Advanced Drone Construction course builds on the skills developed in Drone Construction. This class will focus on building, modifying and flying brushless motored drones which are modified through student coding. Students will go beyond simply flying drones, learning the open filmware built into the drone, allowing for modifications through coding.

Mobile Apps Development F-3660, W-3661, S-3662
The Mobile Applications Development Computer Science course is a class in which students will learn another programming language, explore Graphical User Interfaces (GUI), and create applications for general use. This course is designed to provide students with a real-life experience in the full evolution of Application Development: conception, definition, creation, testing, deployment, and support. Students will learn the Objective C programming language and the Xcode Integrated Development Environment tool set. There will be a focus on the Graphical User Interface for the iPad, iPhone and Mac platforms. This course will require students to find a working professional (the User) who needs an Application developed. Students will design an App which meets the requirements of the User and get agreement that the design meets the requirements of the User. Finally, the student will implement, test and deliver the App to the User. The first trimester will focus on learning the new language and development tool set. The second and third trimesters will focus on specifications, design, development, testing and delivery of the Application by a team of students.

College Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (CLA/Diff Eq) F-3657, W-3658, S-3659
This course is an introduction to college linear algebra and to differential equations and is intended for students who have successfully completed Calculus BC or an equivalent course. Linear Algebra topics include systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector spaces, linear transformations and eigenvalues, eigenvectors, etc. Selected applications and use of technology will be included. Coverage in the area of differential equations includes basic definitions, ideas, and terminology of ordinary differential equations, as well as problem-solving techniques. Specific topics covered include solutions and applications of first-order differential equations, solutions of linear differential equations of higher order, second-order differential equations, and systems of linear differential equations.

Fab Lab Essentials 3001
Explore the Fab Lab and learn how to create, design and produce various products. This course will be an introduction to the 2D, 3D and CNC controlled machines in the Fab Lab. Students will also be introduced to the design process and documentation used in engineering related fields. Students will be expected to complete rudimentary tasks necessary for basic operation of the Fab Lab equipment. Basic hands-on projects will be designed and created throughout the course to demonstrate mastery of the equipment operations.

Choreography & Media F-4241, W-4242, S-4243 (Full Year)
Choreography and Media is a fast-paced intermediate level course that distinguishes the AVHS dance
department from all other programs in the state. It expands upon the dance techniques of Modern, Jazz,
Hip Hop, and more including a strong focus on choreography skills and group collaboration. Students will
also study different multi-media programs as they relate to dance such as Garageband, iMovie, the Google
Suite, and more. Students will infuse a variety of techniques and creative skills into their choreography
through the use of props, video projections, music editing, and video making. Group work, historical
research, collaboration skills, self-discipline, and self-motivation are crucial for this class.

College in the Schools (CIS) - Human Physiology, Technology and Medical Devices F-5064, W-5065, S-5066
CIS Human Physiology, Technology and Medical Devices is a year-long course. The course is the study of the
organization, structure, function, and interrelationships of the major systems of the human body and their response to disease. This course is a lab and activity-based course (including dissections) that requires memorization, reading, and note-taking skills. This college-credit course is recommended for students with an interest in pursuing a medically oriented or health career. The fall trimester covers body orientation and nomenclature, histology, the integumentary system, bones, the skeletal system, and joints. The winter trimester covers muscle anatomy and physiology. The spring trimester covers the nervous system, blood, and the cardiovascular system. This course uses a college-level textbook.

Unified Physical Education 4650
In this course, General Education and Adapted Physical Education students will learn and work together. Students will support one another while learning the knowledge and skills to maintain a health-enhancing lifestyle of physical activity and fitness. Students will participate and learn to make modifications by playing basketball, kickball, softball, soccer, floor hockey and volleyball. They will also work cooperatively on strength training, fitness testing, biking and scooter activities. Through ongoing leadership opportunities, students will also be empowered to create a more inclusive and accepting school environment for all students.

Being a part of E3 STEM will automatically get you networking with professionals in the field. By bringing in our extensive list of business partners to do informational interviews our students get a chance to meet with the people who are potentially their colleagues in the future and have honest conversations about their work. This program also offers Job Shadows with local businesses and internships that are available to students ready to take a part of their school day and get immersed in the fields they love. While we cannot guarantee that students will get hired right out of the program, our partners notice this experience when seeing it on a resume they are considering! Get a head start right out of high school by joining the E3 STEM program at AVHS.

Exploration and Education are two big pieces in the STEM path, but the most important one may be to get employment in your chosen field. With the E3 STEM program we are committed to helping our students get hired right out of high school or have the experiences needed to find work while pursuing a higher education degree. It is important to remember that both experience and education are important to employers! We prepare our students in many ways as they approach graduation, and here is the layout of one of them - Get Hired Workshops:

Professional Behavior and Attire - Students learn understand appropriate workplace behavior and dress. In this workshop, students will:

• Describe professional behavior.
• Discuss and assess communication skills appropriate/not appropriate for the workplace.
• Identify appropriate times and uses of technology.
• Compare and contrast different occupations and professional attire related to the occupations.
• Define time management in relation to the work setting.

Cover Letter, Resume, and Thank You Letter Writing - Students develop understanding the importance of well composed cover letters, resumes, and thank you letters relevant to specific occupations. In this workshop, students will:

• Identify exemplary letters and resumes.
• Discuss and prepare different letters and resumes.
• Evaluate and provide feedback on letters and resumes composed by classmates.
• Explain formats, effective wording, length, and time of completion.

Interviews - Students learn to understand types of interviews, how to prepare their interview skills, be critiqued, and provide constructive feedback to classmates. In this workshop, students will:

• Identify different types of interviews.
• Explain different interviews, appropriate behavior and attire.
• Prepare for and practice different styles of interviews.
• Critique classmates via live observation and videotaped interviews.
• Evaluate self through watching taped interviews.

Panel Presentation and Discussion - Listen to a panel of experts on the dos/don'ts of presenting self through letters, resumes, and the interview process. There will be time for questions and one-one work with panelists to provide feedback on letters and videos. In this workshop, students will:

• Review job search process with experts in the field.
• Incorporate panelists’ input into draft letters and resumes.
• Break down practice interviews and continue to refine skills.