A Brief History
Crossroads Academy has an established record of excellence in science education through our K-8 Core Knowledge science strand. But that is only the beginning. Fueled by interest in performing complex laboratory studies and research, Crossroads established a thriving after- school program for Middle School students in 2010. These young scientists conducted original discovery-based research with Dr. Peter Faletra who was at the time, their Middle School science teacher. Dr. Faletra operated this program in conjunction with the New Hampshire Academy of Science. This program was highly successful and led to over twenty-five Crossroads eighth grade students publishing abstracts of their research in the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. These students were also inducted into the American Junior Academy of Science, the nation’s premier science honor society for secondary school students. Many of these students are now in highly selective colleges pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) careers.
After graduating from Crossroads, many of these students remained in the NHAS after-school and summer programs when its new lab was built in the Barn on our campus. In collaboration with the NHAS and Crossroads, as well as the generous support of our extended community, our two organizations are building a STEM Center in our new Middle School, The Fanger Center. The new lab will be utilized during the days primarily by our Middle School students in their science classes, and after school primarily by the NHAS for Middle School after-school programs. The lab will also be used by the NHAS to operate its intensive multi-week summer research programs open to Crossroads students and to students from around the USA.
STEM Certification and High School Credit for interested Middle School Students:
One of the most exciting prospects of our collaboration is establishing a STEM track for our Middle School students. This track would offer students more time during the school year to participate in STEM-related activities. NHAS has agreed to help support this STEM track by providing our students mentored guidance in experiments in the new lab. NHAS professional scientists would also work with Crossroads faculty to ensure the STEM track students have well-rounded and fulfilling Middle School STEM education.
At the end of their Middle School STEM track, our students would be mentored by the NHAS to produce a Capstone Project that would culminate in a STEM certificate of completion from Crossroads Academy. The Capstone Project would be completed by submission of a standard research paper that will be reviewed by Crossroads faculty and NHAS scientists. In some cases, students will choose to supplement their research efforts by participating in NHAS after-school and summer programs. For those students who wish to further pursue science, there is also an option for eighth graders to attend a NHAS summer program during their graduating year. Upon successful completion, NHAS will grant them high school credit in either life science or physical science depending on the area of their research. NHAS is accredited by the NH Department of Education under its Learn Everywhere Program.
