|
Follow-Up Newsletter:
Virtual Parent Information Night Sessions
Dear Prospective Families,
If you weren't able to attend our recent Virtual Parent Information Night sessions, don't worry – we've got you covered! We are excited to share a follow-up newsletter that encapsulates the highlights and key insights discussed during these informative sessions.
In this edition, you'll find a comprehensive recap of the topics covered, including details about The Governor's School for Science and Technology (GSST), its unique offerings, and the learning environment we provide for students. Whether you're a prospective parent or simply looking to delve deeper into what GSST has to offer, this newsletter is tailored to keep you in the loop.
Sign up for the Prospective Student Pipeline (PSP)
Virtual Community Newsletter:
We invite you to sign up for the Prospective Student Pipeline (PSP) Newsletter, our virtual community dedicated to families eager to explore more about GSST. By subscribing, you'll receive monthly updates on GSST activities, exclusive insights into student life, and timely notifications about upcoming events designed specifically for prospective students.
To join our growing community and stay connected with GSST, click here to sign up for the PSP Newsletter.
Thank you for your continued interest in The Governor's School for Science and Technology. We look forward to keeping you informed and engaged through our newsletters.
Best regards,
Director Wismer
Required Prerequisites:
The coursework at GSST is demanding, and being well-prepared before applying is crucial. We strongly encourage you to discuss your interest in GSST with your school counselor as early as possible. This ensures that they are aware of your intention and can This ensures that they are aware of your intention and can confirm that you have completed the necessary prerequisite coursework.
By the end of the 10th grade, students are required to have completed the following:
Math (minimum):
- Algebra II/Trig (Biological Science and Computational Science Strands)
- PreCalculus/Math Analysis (Physics / Engineering Strand)
Science:
* Biology and Chemistry are Prerequisites for all Academic Strands.
Choosing Your Academic Strand:
Embarking on your journey at GSST involves a crucial decision—selecting the academic strand that aligns with your interests and aspirations. This choice not only shapes your two-year academic experience but also influences the science courses you'll delve into during your time at GSST. Despite the diversity in strands, all students share a common ground through uniform research courses, and math placement is tailored based on past coursework and placement test results.
At GSST, our commitment to providing rigorous, college-level science content infused with real-world applications ensures an enriching educational experience across all chosen pathways. Make an informed decision, refer to the GSST Program Model.
Biological Sciences:
- Courses: 11th grade: Physics, 12th grade: College Biology
- Appropriate for: Students considering careers in the health sciences, life sciences, biology or chemistry research or engineering
- Unique opportunities: extensive lab work, including restriction enzyme analysis, PCR, CRISPR/Cas and comparative physiology of aquatic, amphibian, and terrestrial mammals through dissection labs
Engineering:
- Courses: 11th Grade: Calculus Based Physics I; 12th Grade: Calculus-based Physics II
- Appropriate for: Students considering engineering and other STEM careers
- Unique opportunities: In the Engineering Design, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (EDIE) Lab, students learn digital electronic systems, CAD (Computer Aided Design and the engineering design process. This knowledge is applied to keystone engineering design projects, such as the AirDuino, a collaboration with The College of William and Mary, in which students will construct a microcontroller-based air pollution detector device, program it and collect data at various locations in the Hampton Roads region.
Computational Sciences:
- Courses: 11th Grade:Computational Physics (algebra-based physics and programming); 12th Grade: C++ programming and introduction to data science
- Appropriate for: Students interested in computer science, software engineering, data science, and related fields
- Unique opportunities: The first year course teaches fundamental principles of physics and computational programming in Python. In the second year, students study C++ programming along with foundational concepts in data science, provided through a landmark pilot collaboration between GSST and the Computational Modeling and Data Analytics program at Virginia Tech.
Nuts and Bolts of Applying to GSST:
Applying to the Governor's School is easy; you simply complete a straightforward online application, and your school counselor and teachers handle the rest.
Before beginning your application, watch this video for an overview of the required steps. In brief, there are three components to the application:
Student Application:
After watching the tutorial above, click the "Apply Now" button just below the video to access the online application form. It requests background information and the name/contact details of your school counselor.
Teacher Recommendations:
Another section of the application prompts you to provide the names and email addresses of your current math and science teachers. They will then receive an email request to complete a recommendation for you. It's advisable to speak to your teachers before listing them as recommenders, both to be courteous and to ensure they are aware of the upcoming online invitation. You can check the submission status of their recommendations by revisiting your application at a later date; completion should be done by February 19th.
School Counselor Component:
Your school counselor will upload your transcript and provide additional information about your courses, grades, and test scores. If you have taken an official PSAT, SAT or ACT that you would like included in your application, be sure to inform your counselor.
Notification of Admission Decisions: Around the second week in April:
We are consistently impressed by the strength of applicants to the Governor's School program. In recent years, we've been inspired by students' resilience during the challenging times of the pandemic. Your student's application will undergo careful review, and you can expect a letter by mid-April informing you of the GSST Screening Committee's admission decision. Whether or not your student is admitted, rest assured that we genuinely honor their academic accomplishments and initiative in applying to GSST.
Thank you for your interest in the Governor's School for Science and Technology.
| 
