Fossil Ridge students will have more options next year for Advanced Placement science and technology courses, thanks to a grant from Google.
The Keller school district is one of 487 across the country to receive a portion of a $5 million grant to support increasing the access of minority and female students to AP Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) classes.Fossil Ridge qualified as a recipient based on the median household income of its families, said Becky Manning, coordinator of advanced academics.District officials plan to add AP Environmental Science and AP Computer Science to next year’s master schedule.The district uses a program called AP Potential to look at student scores on the PSAT test and determine which students have the necessary foundation to succeed in various AP classes.Leigh Cook, academic associate at Fossil Ridge, said AP Potential indicated 75 students were ready to take AP Environmental Science and 55 students could do well in AP Computer Science.“These two courses will provide our students access to material and fields of study they don’t currently have,” Cook said.The classes would be open to all Ridge students, provided they have taken the necessary prerequisites.The grant, part of Google’s Global Impact Awards, gives Fossil Ridge $7,100 to begin AP Environmental Science and $1,200 for AP Computer Science and pays for teacher training beyond those amounts.The grant also would give the school $100 for each student who scores a 3 or better on an AP STEM-related test.Cook said that students who take AP math and science courses are more likely to earn college degrees in engineering, life science and physical science, all critical areas for future national success.Barbara Barnes, Fossil Ridge assistant principal, said that even students who are not planning to major in math or science can benefit greatly from the courses.A good score on the AP Environmental Science test would allow a student to test out of a college science course.Earning a 3 or above for college credit also can result in significant savings in college costs, Barnes said.“We’re very excited about the doors this might open for our students,” she said.Sandra Engelland, 817-431-2231 Twitter: @SandraEngelland
