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Sammy Linebaugh reporting The first of six high-tech high schools to become part of Utah's educational landscape, officially broke ground today.
Cottonwood High School is making room for the Academy of Math, Engineering, and Science set to open this fall.
The man with the hammer is Governor Mike Leavitt, officially beginning the retrofit of Cottonwood High School's south end. About 20-thousand feet of the campus will be transformed this summer into an emporium of scientific learning.
Al Church/Principal: "I WANT STUDENTS WHO WANT TO BE LIFE LONG LEARNERS. WHO ARE PASSIONATELY CURIOUS."
This fall about 250 9th and 10th graders will make up the first class of the Academy of Math, Engineering and Science, or AMES. The public charter school offers a full curriculum -- but the emphasis, no doubt, is on inventive thinking, entrepreneurship in fields like computer science and engineering.
Governor Leavitt: "IT'S ABOUT NOT JUST A SOCIAL STRATEGY. IT'S ABOUT AN ECONOMIC STRATEGY."
Karli Martin Attending AMES This Fall: "SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE WANTED TO INVENT ARE NEW TYPES OF SUBMARINES, NEW TYPES OF AIRPLANES."
Karli Martin will be among those who will make use of state of the art science labs, cutting edge computer software, and hands-on engineering opportunities. ¤4 ]] C1.5 G 9 [[
The old metal shop will be the skunk works, or workshop, where students can brainstorm, design, and test new projects."
Catherine Edwards/Curriculum Director: WE HAVE OFTEN JOKED THAT WE'LL HAVE TO HAVE AN OPENING IN THE CEILING TO LAUNCH THE ROCKET."
Al Church/Principal: "THERE PROBABLY WON'T BE A HOLE IN THE ROOF PHYSICALLY, BUT WE HOPE WE'LL BE MOVING OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE WAY PUBLIC ED IN THE PAST HAS HAD TO DO BUSINESS."
In fact, several big businesses will by actively involved in the curriculum -- some will contribute time and technology.
Jason Bagley Intel: "THIS IS THE LATEST AND GREATEST STUFF TO GET INTO THE HANDS OF THE STUDENTS AND THE FACULTY SO THEY CAN LEARN, GET EXCITED, START PROGRESSING IN MATH, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING."
An investment, they say, that will pay dividends for years to come.
As a public charter school, tuition is free, and there is already a waiting list for this fall.
