STEM Activities

Every February, Kent Place students in Primary through Upper School take part in Engineering Week. This event translates into a year-round commitment to celebrate how engineers make a difference in our world, increase the public dialogue about the need for engineers, and provide opportunities for students to participate in hands-on activities.

A highlight of the Grade 5 program is the opportunity for our girls to execute small-group projects. Students utilize the process of scientific design to carry out a short-term, quantitative investigation. The project culminates with the students showcasing their scientific leadership skills in presentations of their findings to parents, peers and Kent Place faculty at the annual Grade 5 Science Fair.

The Science Expo promotes scientific inquiry and research through a five-week in-school project and culminating fair. Students apply the scientific and engineering processes through grade-level themes, such as consumer product claims, sustainable cities, and student-directed explorations. By walking in the footsteps of scientists, our girls develop and practice a multitude of STEM skills. They then articulate their findings and present them to varied audiences.

Mu Alpha Theta is both an honor society and an organization with a specific mission: to inspire keen interest in mathematics, develop strong scholarship in the subject, and promote the enjoyment of mathematics. Kent Place extends a membership invitation to Upper School students who meet academic requirements, which include an A- or above in previous mathematics courses. Members of the Kent Place chapter should be interested in and able to promote the mission through participation in activities throughout the year.

The AMC 8, 10, and 12 are national competitions, sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America, that pose questions designed to increase and develop students’ problem-solving skills. Those questions challenge students at all levels of difficulty.

Students in Grades 4 and 5 participate in the Continental Mathematics League program throughout the year. The Continental Mathematics League tests provide students with experiences in solving complex, non-routine problems. Students not only gain experience with these types of problems but they also develop a toolbox of strategies.

Mathleague.org sponsors a number of elementary school contests to be held nationwide. Top-scoring students at qualifying meets throughout the year are then invited to compete at their states’ championship in late April or early May. Winners of the state championships attend the national championship, in June.

Math Madness, sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America, is a live, team-based, online competition with both multiple-choice and open-entry questions. For five weeks, each Middle School team competes weekly against another school in a 30-minute match consisting of 10 questions. 

Students in Grades 3-6 are eligible to tryout for the Math Team. Team members compete in regional competitions throughout New Jersey. Based on performance at regionals, students may be invited to the state competition and the national competition in Houston, Texas.

Kent Place School’s Robotics Team, the Robo-Dragons, is officially registered with FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). This is a student-centered program designed to encourage young people to pursue careers in STEM subjects. Teams vie in head-to-head competitions at scrimmages, meets and qualifiers with a chance to advance to the FTC World Championship. Through FTC competitions, students apply engineering principles and experience real-world math and science to equip themselves with problem-solving skills that will bring benefits far into the future.

Our outstanding after-school enrichment programs, taught by Kent Place faculty, extend personal and intellectual development long beyond the closing bell. STEM offerings have included Mini-Pets, Global Minecraft Builders, Kitchen Chemistry, Global Storybook Engineers, LEGO Engineering, Global Video Game Designers and Global Scientists: Water in Our World.

The Environmental Club is a group of students interested in the environment and wildlife. They work throughout the year to bring awareness to environmental issues.

The Girls Who Code Club was founded and is run by students to explore various aspects of coding and contribute to ending the gender gap in technology.

The Kent Place School science journal (The Kent Place Quantum) publishes all science-, engineering-, technology- and math-related articles and pictures by students, teachers and some guest writers.

Tech Advisory gives students a voice in determining how KPS girls and young women optimize their use of technology. As a council, students and faculty steer the 1-to-1 laptop program and create guidelines that reinforce the Four Pillars. Members suggest and often test new products and remind students of various tech updates.