STEM Curriculum

Established in partnership with Project Lead the Way (PLTW), The Michael T. Strianese ’74 STEM Program draws students from all five boroughs to Xaverian. The program fosters a learning environment of hands-on discovery and innovation and provides excellent preparation for a growing number of Clipper graduates who go on to study medicine, computer science, engineering, and other STEM fields at top colleges and universities.

The Michael T. Strianese ’74 STEM Program at Xaverian offers its Genesis middle school students introductory STEM classes through its Gateway to Technology curriculum and its high school students the opportunity to select a sequence of courses in either computer, engineering, or biomedical sciences.

Transformative Gifts

The
Michael T. Strianese '74
STEM Program
In the spring of 2014, the growth of Xaverian's STEM Program was bolstered by a transformative gift of $1 million from Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Strianese '74. He is a proud graduate of Xaverian’s class of 1974 and credits his time at his alma mater for providing him with the educational and spiritual groundwork which has served as the bedrock of his success.

In the summer of 2023, Mr. and Mrs. Strianese made another transformative gift of $5 million to enhance the school’s facility and plan for future expansion.

“It has been an honor to serve on the Board of Trustees of my alma mater,” said Mr. Strianese, the former Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of L3, a global aerospace and national security company. “I believe it is essential to provide the current and future students with all they need to succeed in their future.”

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What is STEM?

STEM education programs are project and problem-based learning through hands-on classroom experiences. Students create, design, and build to solve problems while being exposed to the industries where these skill sets are most needed.

STEM education is at the heart of today’s high-tech, high-skill global economy. Our next generation of leaders -- the students of today -- must develop the critical reasoning and problem-solving skills that will help make them the most productive in the world.

As part of our commitment to fully preparing our students for success in the global economy, Xaverian has partnered with Project Lead The Way (PLTW), the leading provider of rigorous and innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education curricular programs used in middle and high schools across the U.S.

In the next decade, America is going to experience a shortage of qualified engineers, scientists, and math-based professionals. Xaverian, through the PLTW program, is going to better equip our graduates to meet the changing landscape of the jobs market.

List of 4 items.

Gateway to Technology Foundation Units

Automation and Robotics (AR)
Students trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics. They learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation and computer control systems. Students use a robust robotics platform to design, build and program a solution to solve an existing problem.

Design and Modeling (DM)
In this unit, students begin to recognize the value of an engineering notebook to document and capture their ideas. They are introduced to and use the design process to solve problems and understand the influence that creative and innovative design has on our lives. Students use industry standard 3D modeling software to create a virtual image of their designs and produce a portfolio to showcase their creative solutions
Computer Science Program

The Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pathway to Computer Science is a sequence of courses that follow a hands-on, real-world solving approach to learning. Students delve into app development, web design, programming, and ethical issues pertaining to the use of internet and social media. They understand the role of computer programming in the fields of engineering, bioinformatics, medicine, and other allied health professions.
Pathway to Engineering | High School Engineering Program

The PLTW Pathway To Engineering (PTE) program is a sequence of courses which follows a proven hands-on, real-world problem-solving approach to learning. Throughout PTE, students learn and apply the design process, acquire strong teamwork and communication proficiency, and develop organizational, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. They discover the answers to questions like how are things made and what processes go into creating products? Students use the same industry-leading 3D design software used by companies like Intel and Lockheed Martin. They explore aerodynamics, astronautics, and space life sciences. Students apply biological and engineering concepts related to biomechanics. They design, test, and actually construct circuits and devices such as smart phones and tablets and work collaboratively on a culminating capstone project. It’s STEM education, and it’s at the heart of today’s high-tech, high-skill global economy.
Biomedical Science

The rigorous and relevant four-course PLTW Biomedical Science sequence allows students to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Students engage in activities like investigating the death of a fictional person to learn content in the context of real-world cases. They examine the structures and interactions of human body systems and explore the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, all while working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing health challenges of today and the future.

Barron Wei

Barron Wei, a graduate of Xaverian’s class of 2018, is a product of Xaverian’s STEM program and is currently studying computer science and math at Harvard University. He recently recalled how his time at Xaverian led him to where he is today. Wei said, “Xaverian has given me a strong foundation for learning. Through upper-level math and engineering classes, Xaverian has allowed me to dive deeply and explore fields that I am interested in. I took advantage of the engineering program at Xaverian and that has given me a strong skill set and mindset that I could extrapolate to any other STEM field such as computer science.”
Mr. Gregory Del George

Mr. Gregory Del George, STEM teacher, says, “STEM has opened up new ways of thinking, new passions in the mind of every student that maybe they didn’t think they had before. It has given our students the tools needed to succeed at top universities across the country, including Harvard, Cornell, Notre Dame, NYU, and Stevens Institute of Technology.”
Jennifer Driscoll

Jennifer Driscoll, a graduate of Xaverian’s class of 2020 and a freshman at the University of Notre Dame studying civil engineering, said, “At Xaverian, I was in the engineering program which introduced me to engineering as a major in college. I don't think I would've considered it as a career path if I were not exposed to it at Xaverian. I had such amazing teachers and mentors to guide me and give me that confidence to try something new and challenge myself.”
Ms. Erin Richroath

Ms. Erin Richroath, STEM teacher, says, "Through explorations of coding and robotics, flight and space, human body systems, and more, the STEM program within Genesis aims to fuel students’ passion for discovery. Students engage in hands-on, collaborative problem solving focused on real-world challenges, students use and stretch their imaginations in brand-new ways and connect their learning to life. All the while, stepping into roles spanning the career landscape – a crucial experience during this transitional time in their lives."
Matthew Calvo

Matthew Calvo ’23 stated, “Xaverian’s advanced STEM program was the main reason I chose to attend. Now, reflecting on this decision five years later, it was the greatest decision I could have ever made. The PLTW program introduced me to the fundamental principles of engineering, some of which I now use on a daily basis in my college curriculum. As a first-year engineering student at Purdue University, there are many new concepts that have proved challenging for my peers; however, such concepts are being introduced to Xaverian students as early as sophomore year.”
Tara McLoughlin

Tara McLoughlin '20 stated, "Xaverian’s STEM Program helped shape my educational and career journey. The Computer Science Program helped introduce me to the future of technology and how I could be a part of that future. It inspired me to become a computer science major and pursue a career in cybersecurity. Without this program, I would not be graduating in the fall with a full time offer at a cybersecurity consulting position. "