The following is a list, though not exclusive, of Advanced Co-Curricular Activities and Academic Challenges at local, state, and national levels in which schools may elect to participate. Contact the talent development teacher in your elementary school or call the main office in your secondary school to obtain specific information as to if your school participates. Brief descriptions and website links are included.

24-Game Challenge (S.T.E.M. RELATED ACTIVITY)

“Knowing the answer is always 24 alleviates a classic brand of math anxiety—getting the right answer—and instead puts the emphasis on the process and patterns, what I like to call ‘the method behind the math.’ ”  Robert Sun, Inventor of the 24 Game

In Anne Arundel County, this popular game of mathematical computation, has students competing in one of three levels: Grade 3; grades 4/5; grades 6-8. School winners compete in regional competitions held in April, from which the top performers advance to the countywide competition in May. For more information about the 24 Game, visit http://www.24game.com.

 AVID Enrichment Club

Students extend the opportunity to apply skills and techniques learned in AVID courses.  Enrichment options may be selected.

By Kids For Kids (BKFK) - Grades 3-8

By Kids For Kids involves an inventive thinking process that incorporates classroom learning into real world applications. Students build upon their creativity and inquisitive thinking in design and discovery to become inventors and consumers.

Maryland is the first to endorse the program statewide; activities have been aligned with the Maryland Content Standards. Its corporate partners include Xerox, G.E. Scholastic, and Mattel. Special events and media will promote design competitions, marketing the student's invention/product, and will assist in getting a patent for the winners.

This program, free of cost, is open to all Maryland students who are motivated to create ideas and inventions that other kids can use. BKFK provides the materials: coaching tools for teachers; a Toolkit that includes the Teacher Manual and student workbooks; and online support. The BKFK website gives more information on membership, current and past winners and their inventions, as well as an historical snapshot of young inventors of the past. Go to www.bkfk.com.

Continental Math League (CML), Inc. - Grades 3-9 (S.T.E.M. RELATED ACTIVITY)

The Continental Math League invites students all grade levels who have above average mental mathematical skills and reading skills. Participation will demonstrate progress in the art of problem-solving and analytical reasoning capabilities.

Students can begin developing their ability to solve problems at an early age. In grades 2-3 they will participate in three meets with six questions per meet. In the Pythagorean or Euclidean Divisions students in grades 4-9 will participate in increasingly difficult meets.  For more information about the Continental Math League, visit www.continentalmathleague.hostrack.com.

DestiNation Imagination

Teams of up to seven members choose one Team Challenge and spend several months perfecting their solutions. The culmination of the year is a series of Tournaments, where Teams demonstrate their unique solutions to teams of Appraisers. Preview a brief summary of all the Team Challenges at http://www.idodi.org/.

Integrated Arts or Fine Arts Club

Students participating in this enrichment club incorporate a variety of fine arts in their extension activity.  They explore topics in a project based, real world application environment where elements of the visual arts, music, performing arts and dance may co- exist with current technology.

MD History Day

Through the National History Day contest, students in grades 6-12 engage in discovery and interpretation of historical topics related to an annual theme. In the process, they hone their talents and produce creative and scholarly projects in the form of exhibits, documentaries, historical papers, performances, or web site. After a series of district and state contests, the program culminates with a national competition at the University of Maryland in College Park each June.  For more information visit their web page at www.nationalhistoryday.org.

MESA- (Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement)                            (S.T.E.M. RELATED ACTIVITY)

Maryland MESA is a structured, K-12, pre-college program designed to prepare students for academic and professional careers in mathematics, engineering, science, and technology.  MESA is a competition-based club for elementary through high school students, with a focus on underrepresented groups. Students research, plan, and create projects ranging from storybook theme park rides to trebuchets. Teachers lead discussions and learning activities which teach skills necessary for success in college. For more information, visit their website at http://www.jhuapl.edu/mesa/home/default.asp.

  Mock Trial

Mock Trial is an activity in which students learn the principles of trial advocacy and then apply those principles as they try a fictitious case.  Involvement in Mock Trial fosters increased self-confidence, improved analytical and speaking skills and the ability to work well with others. Students participating in Mock Trial learn how to conduct a trial from start to finish. They are trained in how to plan, draft and present opening statements, direct examinations, cross examinations and closing arguments. Mock Trial also teaches students how to argue objections intelligently, as well as how to handle various courtroom procedures like entering an exhibit into evidence and impeaching a witness. Aside from the technical aspects of trial advocacy, students learn how to think creatively when dealing with matters of trial strategy.   http://www.collegemocktrial.org

Model United Nations  or Model UN

Model United Nations is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization's agenda. While playing their roles as ambassadors, student "delegates" make speeches, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the Model UN conference rules of procedure - all in the interest of mobilizing "international cooperation" to resolve problems that affect countries all over the world.  By researching, Model UN participants learn how the international community acts on its concerns about topics including peace and security, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalization. Model UN delegates also look closely at the needs, goals and foreign policies of the countries they will represent at the event. The insights they gain from their exploration of history, geography, culture, economics and science contribute to the authenticity of the simulation when the role playing gets under way. For more information visit their web page at http://www.unausa.org.

NASA Best Club- Aerospace Engineering (S.T.E.M. RELATED ACTIVITY)

This aerospace engineering course is sponsored by Anne Arundel County Public Schools with funding from NASA.  Students will have the opportunity to work will NASA scientists.  They will focus on the principles of engineering to study and explore topics surrounding the lunar landscape, living environment and challenges associated with traveling to the moon and returning to earth safely.  The club is leveled for primary, elementary and middle school students.

On-line Book Club Hybrid

Held in conjunction with the Reading or Language Arts Department and the AP/College Prep Office, advanced language arts students are invited to participate in an on-line book club during the school year.  They will need internet access in order to join a blackboard discussion group.  A final project or special culminating activity is designed for each book at each grade level.

Robotics Club or FIRST LEGO League (S.T.E.M. RELATED ACTIVITY)

The FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is a global program created to introduce students (ages 9-14, up to 16 outside of the U.S. and Canada), to science, technology, and engineering. Students use elements such as sensors, motors, and gears to gain hands-on experience in engineering and computer programming principles as they construct and program their unique robot inventions. The teams and an adult mentor received a mini challenge based on the FLL research project. The students spend a month exploring, investigating, designing, and building a model made with LEGO bricks on a 15” x 15” base plate. Projects culminate in an official tournament which includes time to meet with reviewers.  The cornerstones of the program are its core values, which emphasize contributions of others, friendly sportsmanship, learning, and community involvement to share their experiences and receive recognition for their efforts.  For more information, visit their website at http://firstlegoleague.org/community/HomePage.aspx.

The Stock Market Game - Grades 4-12

The Stock Market Game gives students the chance to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in a real-time portfolio. In grades 4 and 5, students use the SMG Program to reinforce math skills, such as converting fractions to decimals. As students buy and sell investments in their fantasy portfolios, they make practical use of cross-curricular skills and knowledge in areas such as math, history, civics, and language skills. They learn economic concepts in context, such as the value of investing and saving for the future.  For further information on materials, resources and registration go to www.smg2000.org.

Sea Perch-  Underwater  Robotics (S.T.E.M. RELATED ACTIVITY)

This engineering design course focuses on design, development and building of a underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV).  Students will lean the principles of engineering in a fun-filled project based club environment.  Sea Perch Underwater Robotics Competitions will be held locally and regionally.