Current SMT students

Current SMT students2024-03-08T11:30:31-08:00

SMT faculty and staff

Highly qualified, dedicated, caring teachers and staff members

Engineering
Financial algebra, AP environmental science
SMT teacher since 2016
Pre-AP biology, SMT Magnet Co-Coordinator
SMT teacher since 2006
AP Computer Science, Python Coding
SMT teacher since 1997
Science, SMT Co-Coordinator
Geometry, Anime Club adviser, Math Team coach, Pre-AP Geometry
SMT teacher since 2009
SMT program, logo
Pre-AP chemistry, AP chemistry
SMT teacher since 2011
600 wing and SMT Magnet Clerk

Graduation requirements

Are you taking the classes you need to pass in order to graduate? Have you performed enough community service hours and presented your research project at least twice per year? Here’s what’s required:

If you have questions about course schedules, please contact the Skyview counselors.

Program GPA requirement: SMT Magnet students must maintain a 2.5 grade point average in all courses taken at Skyview High School. Grades are reviewed each semester and GPAs are calculated. Any student not maintaining a 2.5 GPA will be placed on academic probation. Any student who does not meet 2.5 GPA requirement a second time during enrollment in the program will be dismissed from the SMT Magnet.

The SMT faculty believes that the content learned in class can and should be used to give back to the greater community. All students are required to record and submit a minimum of 30 community service hours by the end of their senior year. Check your email throughout every school year for community service opportunities.

Students need to submit the community service hours form to the 600 wing clerk a minimum of one week prior to graduation.

The scientific research process is central to a well-rounded technical education. It connects cross-curricular coursework and physically defines the mission of the SMT Magnet. The project represents an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in class to an area of interest (wherein the student will become expert). Two credit-bearing options are available—SMT Research Seminar and Engineering Design and Development (Project Lead the Way)—as support for Skyview students looking to engage in the research process.

Project process

Step 1: Apply
In order to participate in the research seminar, students will need to apply to their top three research group choices. The options are as follows:

  • Computer Science and Software Development
    • Students will work in teams of three to five students to design and create apps for tablets and smartphones that solve real-world problems. As with other SMT Magnet research projects, the apps will be submitted to a competition and presented to a panel for judging.
  • Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems
    • Research within this group will center on developing both physical and behavioral-based systems that promote renewable and sustainable human energy production and consumption. Students will focus their research around participation in the Washington State University Imagine Tomorrow competition, which is themed and specifically supports four threads: Technology, Design, Behavior and Biofuels.
  • Advanced Statistics Applications
    • Teams of two to six students will compete at the Washington State Math Council Competition. Each team will be required to address a problem that that relates to a specific social, environmental or economical task. Students will use their understanding of math to make predictions and convey meaningful information in a way that is accessible and helpful to others.
  • Watershed Systems
    • This project will tie in with the Watershed Congress that is the culmination of the Watershed Monitoring County Environmental Services Clean Water Program. The Watershed Congress focuses on education, discovery and stewardship. SMT students will be required to become educated, test, report out and potentially become a steward of a local watershed.

Step 2: Selection
Based on student application data, the SMT faculty will then assign students to specific research groups. Students will be notified of their selection approximately two weeks after the application window closes.

Step 3: Participation
In order to earn the 0.5 elective credit, students will need to:

  • Document 90 hours of combined meeting time and individual work time over the course of the school year (note this is a yearlong course)
  • Complete the requirements of the challenge/competition designated within each research group
  • Work positively with other members of the research group
  • Actively participate in presenting findings to an external panel of judges

Students must participate in the SMT Showcase every year that they are enrolled in the program.

Frequently asked questions

Get the answers here!

Can we request to be with a specific partner in a research group?2017-08-29T16:29:04-07:00

No.

What is Engineering Design and Development and will it fulfill the project requirement?2017-08-29T16:28:39-07:00

Yes, EDD will fulfill the project requirement. EDD is the Project Lead the Way, or PLTW, senior-level capstone course. It is a project-based course that is recommended to be taken after a student has successfully completed the PLTW sequence of courses:

  • Intro to Engineering Design
  • Principles of Engineering
  • Digital Electronics or Environmental Sustainability
How many students will be in each research group?2017-08-29T16:27:13-07:00

The answer to this question will be largely dependent on the total number of students who apply to participate each year. Ideally, there will be no more than 20 students per research group, with sub-team divisions of three to five students.

What are the targeted competitions?2017-08-29T16:26:06-07:00
Should freshmen participate in the research groups?2017-08-29T16:20:58-07:00

Freshmen are welcome to participate in the research groups; however, it is not recommended.

Can students continue the projects over the summer as part of a continuation of a research group?2017-08-29T16:20:04-07:00

This requires supervision and district-level approval (still pending).

Can juniors drop out of the project process and reapply as seniors?2017-09-26T14:20:43-07:00

Students are only required to participate in doing a research project for one year. While dropping is not ideal (the SMT Magnet faculty strongly recommends two years of participation), a student could drop the research course during junior year and reapply to participate during senior year. In dropping the research group, a student will risk receiving a no-credit designation on their transcript for the research group.

Will students be creating the deliverables similar to what is required of independent project students?2017-08-29T16:16:15-07:00

Yes. Students will be doing detailed research with similar requirements comparable to the International Science and Engineering fair.

When will research groups meet?2017-09-26T15:01:10-07:00

Research will be conducted outside of the school day. Each research group will hold its own independent schedule that will be tailored to meet the needs of the students within that group. The SMT faculty is very aware of the many commitments our students have outside of the school day and will attempt to create meeting times that are flexible. Student will be responsible for communicating meeting times to parents.

How will communication to students and parents be facilitated?2017-09-26T14:21:44-07:00

Students are primarily responsible for informing parents about pertinent information regarding their project process. Information regarding application and participation will be posted in the 600 wing and available on the SMT calendar. Individual questions can be emailed.

Can you switch research groups between years? Can I apply to be in a different research group in the next project cycle?2017-08-29T16:33:09-07:00

Yes. Students are welcome to reapply to participate in a different research group when the application window opens for the following year’s project cycle. The project cycle reopens with an application process each May. There will be a process by which students can maintain their spot in a particular research group should they choose to continue to participate.

Can you switch research groups mid-year?2017-08-29T16:33:02-07:00

No.

Will research group preference be given to upperclassmen?2017-08-29T16:33:13-07:00

Preference will be given to upperclassmen. Seniors will have first priority, followed by juniors, sophomores and freshmen.

How will student research groups be assembled?2017-09-26T15:01:15-07:00

The research groups will be assembled by the SMT faculty based on information provided on the student application. It is the intent to place each student in their first selected project group. Unfortunately it is likely that not every student will get their first choice due to project group leveling.

Do student community service hours have to be done within the scope of science, math and technology?2017-08-29T16:07:09-07:00

No. Ideally, we would like students to relate their service experience to the various science, math and technological fields; however, we understand that not all students have avenues to those experiences.

What is the difference between iTech Preparatory and Skyview SMT Magnet?2017-09-26T14:21:57-07:00

Skyview’s SMT Magnet and iTech are significantly different. Skyview is a comprehensive high school with extensive academic and extracurricular offerings. The Science, Math and Technology magnet represents an opportunity for students to receive academic recognition (an SMT diploma) for their success in taking more science, tech, engineering and math—STEM—courses; competing in the a science fair; and being active participants in the STEM community. By contrast, iTech is a full-day high school wherein the goal is to implement project-based learning with a STEM vision across the broad spectrum of curricula.

How do SMT credit requirements integrate with Washington state graduation requirements?2017-09-26T14:22:22-07:00

The SMT Magnet faculty acknowledges that creating a four-year high school plan can be tricky. Thus it is highly recommended that students and parents take the time to map out a four-year plan that integrates the SMT credit requirements into state-level graduation requirements. The SMT-approved course list encompasses many courses that can fulfill both state and SMT graduation requirements. For example: Graphic design is recognized as an art credit at the state level, while also counting as an SMT technology credit. More information about state-level credit categories can be found in Skyview’s curriculum guide.

Can credits from middle school count towards SMT Magnet graduation?2017-09-26T14:22:30-07:00

No. The SMT faculty wants students to maximize their academic potential. Thus, the faculty is seeking students who wish to maximize their opportunities and do more.

Can I do Running Start (Clark College) and still graduate with SMT honors?2017-09-26T14:22:48-07:00

No and yes. While we respect the Running Start program and the positive learning that goes on at the Clark College campus, the SMT faculty has decided that it is important for students participating in the SMT magnet to remain a part of the physical community here at Skyview. Therefore, we require that SMT English 9, all science, all math and all technology credits be taken here at Skyview (see SMT graduation requirements). Students, therefore, may take courses outside of the fields of math, science and technology at Clark College. For example: Language credits earned at Clark College will count toward SMT graduation.

Exceptions do exist for students whose knowledge has progressed beyond that of the SMT course offerings. For example, if a student has previously taken Calculus II (BC) and wishes to continue with upper-level math at Clark College, those credits earned will count toward SMT graduation.

SMT Boosters

Invaluable support for the SMT Magnet

The SMT Boosters is a volunteer group comprised of parents; community members; and professionals working in industries related to science, technology, engineering and math. The Boosters support the SMT Magnet with research, Tech Days and SMT Blasts.

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