OUR MISSION

The NexGen STEM Academy at Salisbury Middle School seeks to build the next generation of leaders that are inspired to assess and solve community and global problems collaboratively through curiosity, creativity, and innovation.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

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Robotics Club- FIRST Lego League
Our program consists of students that are team-oriented problem-solvers, creative- thinkers, willing to take risks and learn from failures, while also possessing an increased interest in science and technology. Student interest in STEM is crucial for student success.
PictureCohort #1: 2018-2019
Starting with the 2018-2019 school year, 50 eligible selected students entering 6th grade from all Wicomico County Schools will take the four core courses of Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, and English/Language Arts, as well as a designated Project Lead the Way- Gateway course.
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NexGen Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment (NLAE)
Each course is taught using a STEM approach that utilizes rigorous project/problem-based learning, lessons that require inquiry, problem solving, decision making, discovery, technology, and cooperative learning with a high degree of interactive hands-on involvement.
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3D Printing in the NeXus Lab (NexGen Hub for Innovation)
The STEM academy is an inclusive "school within a school," where students loop with the STEM teachers and their classmates for all three years of middle school. In addition to these courses, students will take electives of their choosing.

MORE INFORMATION

Click to learn more about what our program has to offer.
Click to learn more about the NexGen STEM Academy educators.
Click to see an example research project our students experience.

ACADEMY NEWS AND UPDATES

Patient Zero: Searching for Answers to the Unknown Illness Among Us- 1.30.23

A Seminar on the Plausibility of Cryptids- 1.25.23

 FIRST LEGO League Eastern Shore Qualifier Results- 2023- 1.14.23

The Champion’s Award celebrates a team that embodies the FIRST ® LEGO® League Challenge experience, by fully embracing our Core Values while achieving excellence and innovation in Robot Performance, Robot Design and the Innovation Project.
The Robot Design Award celebrates the team who uses outstanding programming principles and solid engineering practices to develop a robot that is mechanically sound, durable, efficient and highly capable of performing challenge missions.

Congratulations Mrs. Thompson- 5.05.22

Congratulations to Mrs. Rachel Thompson on her selection as a finalist for the Maryland Society for Education Technology’s Outstanding Educator Award. Your dedication to your students and teaching profession is second to none. The winner will be announced prior to the end of this school year. We are proud of you Mrs. Thompson.

22/23 NexGen Supplies List - 8.9.22

nexgen-supplies_list-_2022-2023.pdf
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 The Great STEM(+) Expo- 5.21.2022

Thank you to everyone that attended The Great STEM(+) Expo as part of Remake Learning Days held on Saturday, May 21, 2022. The Expo was an event for all ages from all schools to engage in STEM+ activities through hands-on exploration. Guest speakers, demonstrations of cool technology and the chance to play and learn all while having fun!
Thank you to our many students, parents, teachers, administration, custodian, and intern volunteers for their hours of dedication for setup, operating, and cleaning up.

Thank you to our community partners who sponsored a booth to share all of the great STEM opportunities within our community or provided donations. Please support them in the community! They include:

 2022 Junior Math League Competition- 3.17.22

Salisbury Middle School/NexGen is the winner of this years 2021-2022 Junior Math League competition! Although our season was abbreviated due to Covid-19, we were able to have a half-season. SMS won on 3/2 at Bennett Middle and then again tonight at SMS.

 2022 MATHCOUNTS Competition Series- Annapolis Chapter- 2.25.22

The results from the Annapolis Chapter of the MATHCOUNTS Competition Series from last week just came in, and although only four students advance to the state competition from the entire eastern shore/Annapolis region, two of our students made the top four and will advance. Peter Jin (7th NexGen) placed 2nd, and Sarah Yamakawa (8th NexGen) placed 3rd.
The state competition will be held in March and of the 30-40 students competing in all of Maryland, two are from Wicomico County Public Schools- NexGen STEM Academy/ Salisbury Middle. We couldn't be prouder!

 FIRST LEGO League Eastern Shore Qualifier Results- 2022- 2.9.22

The Core Values Award is given to the team that displays extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit, knows they can accomplish more together than they could as individuals, and shows each other and other teams respect at all times.
The Robot Performance Award celebrates a team that scores the most points during the Robot Game. Teams have a chance to compete in at least three 2.5-minute matches and their highest score counts.
The Champion’s Award celebrates a team that embodies the FIRST ® LEGO® League Challenge experience, by fully embracing our Core Values while achieving excellence and innovation in Robot Performance, Robot Design and the Innovation Project.

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