The science, mathematics, and STEM curriculum at The Stony Brook School seeks to form students whose imagination, humility, and discovery leads them to wonder at the beauty and order of God's creation and grow in wisdom and creativity.
In the 7th and 8th grades, our project-based STEM classes encourage students to apply design thinking to innovative problem-solving in the fields of physical science, earth science, and engineering. Middle school students may also take STEM electives in robotics and computer science. A diverse range of math classes are available to 7th-8th graders based on their math placement, including classes ranging from foundational arithmetic, such as Pre-Algebra, through our advanced high school math offerings.
As students enter 9th and 10th grade, they take core science courses such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics alongside core math classes like Algebra and Geometry. Students may also choose to take STEM electives in Robotics, 3D Modeling and Printing, Programming, and more. Students at an accelerated pace may take the appropriate coursework for their level, particularly in math, but all freshmen and sophomores build a strong foundation in scientific reasoning, logical and clear reading and writing, and critical problem-solving skills to maximize their future STEM courses.
By junior and senior year, the full breadth of our STEM curriculum becomes available with our core classes augmented by over 30 electives in the Science, Math, and STEM Departments. With a variety of courses and electives for students across the interest and ability range, from Personal Finance to Astronomy, all students can fulfill a passion or hone a new skill set.
For advanced students, our math sequence offers among the most advanced offerings in any American secondary school. SBS also offers advanced capstone courses in all academic departments for motivated and talented students to pursue “Character Before Career” at the highest level.
STEM PROGRAMS
STEM offers Advanced Engineering, Innovation, and Design which allows for the time and space to deeply explore projects in computer science, engineering, robotics, rocketry, and other STEM fields. Past students have designed an experiment for the International Space Station, designed and 3-D printed face shields during the COVID-19 pandemic, and designed rockets for competition.
Science offers courses ranging from AP Biology to AP Physics C to AP Chemistry, and electives such as Anatomy & Physiology and Astronomy. Our capstone, Advanced Scientific Research, lets students design and execute their own science research projects under the tutelage of an expert faculty member and funded by SBS. Highly motivated and successful students may obtain research internships at outside institutions as part of their SBS schedule. Past students have had yearlong internships at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and Columbia University.
Math offers four courses beyond AP Calculus BC including Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Advanced Mathematical Logic, and Advanced Topics in Mathematics. Our research-focused Advanced Topics in Mathematics lets students delve into a wide variety of college-level math.
At the Stony Brook School, we aim to cultivate not just academic excellent, but more importantly character and virtue. SBS STEM endeavors guide students towards a future where they are equipped to serve the world through their character and servant leadership.
