STEM at Foxcroft
Inspiring girls to pursue 21st-century science, math, engineering, and tech skills
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Inquiry -
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Mastery
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In the 21st century, the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are critical. At Foxcroft, they are also fun. You might learn physics by constructing a potato cannon or improve your computer skills by creating an arcade game. Put on a hard hat and see how engineers, architects, and contractors build a new dorm. Program a drone in our STEM club.
Our STEM teachers are passionate about their subjects. They are also inspiring role models — five of our seven STEM teachers are women and one of them has a doctorate. They bring energy and enthusiasm to your class with real-life applications, inquiry-based assignments, hands-on projects, and cool technology tools. These workshops, internships, seminars and presentations with STEM professionals will open your mind.
Our STEM teachers are passionate about their subjects. They are also inspiring role models — five of our seven STEM teachers are women and one of them has a doctorate. They bring energy and enthusiasm to your class with real-life applications, inquiry-based assignments, hands-on projects, and cool technology tools. These workshops, internships, seminars and presentations with STEM professionals will open your mind.
In and out of the classroom at Foxcroft, science, technology, engineering and math are inspiring!
STEM is for Girls!
Research shows that attending an all-girls school affects students’ interest and success in STEM fields. Here’s a look at graduates of independent girls’ schools as compared to girls who graduated from coed independent schools:
List of 4 items.
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6x
more likely to
major in math,
science & technology -
3x
more likely
to consider
engineering careers -
10%
more confident
in their
computer ability -
11%
more confident
in their
mathematical ability
At Foxcroft, more than 30 percent of recent graduates chose STEM fields as their majors in college.
– Betsy ’21
“I was interested in STEM before coming to Foxcroft, and my interest has only grown with all the opportunities available here.”
– Gabriela ’15, 2nd year Computer Science major
“At Foxcroft, I learned to speak my mind and value my own voice, giving me the strength to pursue an interest in a primarily male-dominated field.”
– Carli ’16
“This extraordinary opportunity [to design the new school store’s counter] is something I will remember all my life. I never knew I had an interest in designing, but after this experience, I may consider pursuing this passion.”
News
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Researching the Cheetah in Animal Science
by Mackenzie W. ’21 and Tina L. ’22Read more >>
Animal Science, a class here at Foxcroft, allows students to study the behaviors and characteristics of different organisms. Recently, one project we completed was to create a model of a specific animal’s skin, skeleton, and digestive organs in order to study the adaptations and digestion system of the animal. My group chose the cheetah, a spectacular animal known for its speed. With research, we were able to connect why the cheetah could run so fast, looking at traits such as hind leg elasticity and increased lung capacity. It was a bit hard doing the research because we could not find too much exact information about the cheetah online, and needed to process scientific articles which took a lot of time to pull out the information we wanted. -
STEM Presents: Bruce Wyman of 3D Me
From Director of STEM Education Kristine VarneyRead more >>Last Thursday, we welcomed our first speaker of the year in our STEM Presents speaker series. Bruce Wyman spoke with interested students, including those in the STEM Concentration, about the work of his company, 3D Me, which provides high-quality 3D scanned figures for customers. Mr. Wyman’s talk helped the group better understand 3D printers, a technology we have been using in The Innovation Lab for class and personal projects since the space opened in 2017. -
Magical Coding Carnival Engages Future Computer Scientists
On Wednesday, September 25, Foxcroft hosted a group of middle school girls on campus for a “Coding Carnival” — an evening of fun activities meant to get girls engaged and excited about computer science — without actually sitting in front of a computer! Hosting the Coding Carnival presented a great opportunity for Foxcroft’s AP Computer Science (APCS) students to share their knowledge and excitement with younger girls. The event also furthered the mission of Foxcroft’s STEM Department to develop students’ problem-solving skills and to boost their confidence in using and developing a wide range of technologies.Read more >> -
Foxcroft School to Host Coding Carnival for Middle School Girls
Read more >>Area middle school girls are invited to attend an evening of carnival-style games and fun as they learn the theory behind programming on Wednesday, September 25, from 5:30-8pm.Foxcroft School and its STEM Department are excited to invite area middle school girls to an evening of carnival-style fun and games designed to encourage and create awareness around one of the fastest-growing career fields: computing. The Coding Carnival will be held Wednesday, September 25 from 5:30-8pm in the Audrey Bruce Currier Library on campus.There is no admission charge, but space is limited. To RSVP contact Karla Vargas, karla.vargas@foxcroft.org, or 540.687.4341. For questions about the event activities, contact Kristine Varney, kristine.varney@foxcroft.org. -
Sen. Warner Commends Foxcroft on AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award
Read more >>“I am pleased to extend my congratulations to the faculty and staff of Foxcroft School,” wrote U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner of Virginia. “Your focused efforts to give young women the opportunity to develop computer science skills will help bridge the gender gap in the field in the coming years. I commend you for this important work and your dedication to helping your students succeed.”
Foxcroft is one of only six schools in Virginia and 490 worldwide to earn the AP Computer Science Principles Female Diversity Award. Schools receiving the Award have either 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or a percentage of the female computer science examinees meeting or exceeding that of the school’s female population.
Contact
List of 6 members.
Math Science & Technology
Engineering
STEM
An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.
