Macomb Mathematics Science Technology Center

The Macomb Mathematics Science Technology Center (MMSTC) is a specialized secondary education center with a four-year advanced, research based, science and math curriculum located in Warren, Michigan. The school is known to the students and teachers as Butcher because it is located in the Butcher Community Services Center (formerly Butcher Jr. High School). It is also known for the large amounts of homework given. The center serves approximately fifteen schools throughout Macomb County. MMSTC is a member of the NCSSSMST. This is an organization of secondary schools that promote Mathematics, Science, and Technology schools.

Curriculum

Throughout all four years of MMSTC, students take three classes every day of the school year. These three classes are Math, Science, and Inter-Disciplinary Studies (IDS).

Inter-Disciplinary Studies

Considered the most intriguing part of the curriculum to a majority of students is the IDS component. The day-to-day learning in IDS varies, including: QBasic programming Freshmen year, Statistics for half of Sophomore and Junior year, Java and SolidWorks (taught by the esteemed Mark Supal) Junior and Senior year, HTML and Flash at the end of senior year, as well as copious time on the research project that each student must complete and present with a partner each year. Examples of research experiments would be the application of Escherichia Coli bacteria to immense quantities of watermelon (Batik ha) and observing resistance and growth, or the identification of niobium using density, specific heat, and thermal expansion.

Mathematics

The mathematics department follows a modified version of a typical accelerated math curriculum. Freshman year, the students take Geometry, however, this geometry focuses more on 3D Geometry than flat, proof-based Geometry. Sophomore year brings the unique Functions, Statistics and Trigonometry class to students. Junior year the students take a Pre-Calculus class with a focus on discrete math and some Boolean Algebra. This class culminates to either Calculus or AP Calculus senior year. Although the class does not teach some of the BC portions of the exam, many students elect to take the BC exam.

Sciences

The science curriculum is set for freshman, sophomores and juniors. Freshman take biology, sophomores take chemistry and juniors take physics. Senior year students take an advanced biology, chemistry, or physics class, based on what career plans they have. Each year students must do a research project based on topics related to their science class. In all years with the exception of sophomore, the students have the ability to choose the topic of their research, which can be anywhere from the dissection of planaria to the construction of a cloud chamber.

Admissions

Admission into MMSTC is a very rigorous process. First, eighth grade students must have a strong math background, usually Algebra 1, and also must take two aptitude tests, the Cognitive Abilities Test (COGAT) and MAT-8. About 600 hopefuls take these tests every year. The highest-performing students are invited to form the incoming class of 82 freshmen out of the 600.

In the 9th grade, new students may be admitted to fill any empty spots, with a similar entry process, based on aptitude tests and previously taken math courses.

External links

• MMSTC Homepage
• MMSTC Flash Page
• MMSTC Alumni Society
• MMSTC FIRST Robotics Team on FIRSTwiki
• MMSTC on Vox Academia