“I feel like the stuff I’ve learned in the program is a bit more relevant for getting a job than my more basic high school education,” Petersen states. “I’ve learned about things such as electrical theory, electronic assembly, drone piloting and, of course, I’ve learned about robots.”
The A.M. STEM Academy teaches a wide assortment of subjects including robotics, programming, pre-engineering skills and more. Thanks to the collaboration of the regional school districts, lessons are broadcast at 7 a.m. into nine high schools throughout Northern Utah, as well as on both the Logan and Brigham City BATC campuses. Each school is provided with hands-on lab equipment for enrolled students to work on during the broadcasted instruction, taught by BATC STEM experts. Classrooms are also fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology that gives students the ability to directly communicate with the instructors, giving students an interactive and technically advanced education.
Merrill, who holds the title of 2015 National VEX Champion and First Runner Up in the 2016 VEX World Championship is currently applying his certificate hours at USU. Merrill said, “Robotics prepared me for the problem-solving aspects but STEM has given me more of the practical skills that I will need for my career in the future. A lot of the things I’ve learned here at BATC have helped address the practical hole in my knowledge.”
The AM STEM Academy had 85 students finish the first year of the course during the 2015-2016 school year and this year, 140 students are enrolled. Interested students can enroll for the BATC A.M. STEM class at their local high school.
For more information about the AM STEM Academy, visit http://batc.edu/stem.