Utica Center for Math, Science, and Technology

Utica Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (UCMST)
Location
Sterling Heights, Michigan
United States
Information
Type Public magnet school
Established August 1996
Building Administrator Cheryl Cunningham
Grades 9-12
Number of students approximately 350
Mascot ThunderChickens
Website UCMST

The Utica Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (UCMST) is a four-year public non-residential magnet school located at the Joan C. Sergent Instructional Resource Center (IRC) in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The school is in the Utica Community School District. The school accepts rising freshmen from across the Utica Community School District and enrolls them through senior year. Though UCMST is a public school, enrollment is limited. The selection of the top 90 students from applicants is determined by academic record, performance on achievement and aptitude tests (which include a test in mathematics and science abilities), and a letter of intent. UCMST is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology.

Curriculum

Students attend the center for half of their school day to complete their science courses, and then travel back to their home school to take their humanities classes. Seniors and freshmen attend MST in the mornings while juniors and sophomores attend in the afternoon sessions.

Each student takes three courses each year. Freshman students take C++ Programming one semester and Statistics the other semester as an elective taught by Mrs. Jennifer Carl. Freshman students also take Advanced Algebra II/Geometry or Advanced Algebra II/Discrete Mathematics taught by Mrs. Kristi Carpenter and Accelerated Chemistry taught by Mrs. Katherine Hyso and Mr. Ronald Arscheene. Sophomore students take classes in Analysis also taught by Mrs. Jennifer Carl, Biochemistry/Foundations of Research also taught by Mrs. Katherine Hyso, and Advanced Biology taught by Mrs. Debra Horger. Junior year students take classes in Foundations of Calculus (Pre-calculus) taught by Mr. David Ersig, Physics also taught by Mr. Ronald Arscheene, and AP Java Programming taught by Mr. Michael Attan. Senior year students are given the opportunity to take Calculus BC also taught by Mr. David Ersig and two science classes (selected from AP Chemistry also taught by Mr. Michael Attan, AP Biology also taught by Mrs. Debra Horger and AP Physics also taught by Mr. Ronald Arscheene).

Sports

MST does not offer any athletic programs because the UCMST is a partial-day program. Instead, students are able to participate in the sports of their home schools. However, the FIRST Robotics competition team, the ThunderChickens, is an emphasized part of the center's curriculum.

Wall of Fame

The Wall of Fame lists students who have received an honorary plaque based on academic achievement. Membership is granted only after a student has:

The Wall of Fame consists of Christina Falcone, Adam Geml, Nick Lafrenz, Deepak Mishra, Michael Ross, Samantha Spath, Chris Sigler, Ryan Wolcott, Edward Weng, Scott Wolchok, and Jeffery Zylinski. The award was also posthumously given to 2007 graduate Brian Turoski. Although Turoski did not meet the standard qualifications for the Wall of Fame, he was given an honorary spot on the wall after he died in 2010 from complications stemming from an attempt to count to a googolplex. An annual scholarship fund was also set up in his name called "Numbers 4 Brian", which is funded solely by UCMST student and staff donations.

Extracurricular activities

UCMST students participate in the co-curricular and extracurricular activities at their home schools (Eisenhower High School, Henry Ford II High School, Stevenson High School, and Utica High School).

Students can also join MST Student Council. It is in charge of decorations, various charity drives, and the planning of the MST events (such as MST movie nights, lock-ins, etc.).

Lock-ins

A new UCMST event as of 2006, the students arrive at the building around 9:00 p.m. and are not allowed to leave until 6:00 a.m. (on a non-school night, of course), unless a given student must leave. The entry fee is $10 per student (to pay for the custodial fees, food, and prizes) and must be paid for before the lock-in night. The lock-ins consist of math games, chemistry games, and rolling chair relay races, with prizes ranging from candy bars to gift cards for each game. After the games, students are allowed to roam the two presentation rooms. In one presentation room, students may participate in projector screen Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Rock Band, Guitar Hero: World Tour, Rock Band 2, Super Smash Brothers Brawl, and other popular multiplayer games, or they could play cards, karaoke, and fun board games. In the next presentation room, students can watch movies or nap if they feel too tired. In the hall between the two rooms, a few students had a CS 1.5 LAN. Free snacks, consisting of pizza, pop, and miscellaneous desserts brought in by students, are served in the main hall via the vending machines. This event was moved 2009/2010 school year at the location of Joe Dumar's Field House, due to space limitations at the Instructional Resource Center.

Pi day

Every March 14 (3/14), there is an annual celebration of pi day. Class ends early and there is a pi recitation contest. The contestants must recite, from memory, as many digits of pi as they can. The 2010 school champion is Stephanie Godden, also the 2008 and 2009 champion and current school record-holder, with 2300 digits. Many have tried to break this record, but few have come close. However, in 2011, Andrew Werner recited 680 digits, only to be beaten the following year by Mitchell Gong who recited 1200 digits.

In 2006 and 2007, there was also a pie eating contest, which featured famous guests including the San Diego Chicken and Bjarne Stroustrup in 2006, and professional competitive eater Joey Chestnut in 2007 (although he did not compete). Ironically enough, the record, held by 2007 graduate Dusan Momcilovic, is 3.14 pies (one banana creme, one blueberry, one pumpkin, and .14 French Silk).

From 2008-2011, UCMST did not hold a pie-eating competition, citing a lack of funds (largely due to Joey Chestnut's sizable 2007 appearance fee and the slumping Michigan economy). However, in 2012 the pie-eating contest returned, thanks in large part to the wildly successful student-run "Save Our Pies" telethon, which raised nearly $14,000. This time, the special guest was Japanese professional competitive eater and six-time Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest champion, Takeru Kobayashi. Kobayashi entered the pie-eating contest and ate an estimated 3.13 pies, falling short of Momcilovic's record by mere crumbs.

In 2013 the teachers and administration of UCMST coordinated a Pi Day baking competition which initially was slated to be judged by a handful of special guests. However, the school once again struggled to come up with enough funding to cover the cost of hosting another big-time celebrity. So instead, the school staff invited back five UCMST alums to judge the entries. The alums that were invited to attend were Bruce Rottmann, Michael Hein, Chad Payne, Jennifer Dolan, and Kevin Ansell. However, Rottmann and Hein were unable to attend, citing previous Pi Day celebration commitments. The winning pie ended up being a blueberry confection claimed to have been cooked using only a Bunsen Burner. It scored a perfect 3.14 from each judge.

In early 2014, the students and teachers decided to save that year's Pi Day funds for the following year's "Only Pi Day of Our Lives" (3/14/15), and no special events were held.

Fire Alarm Hot Dogs

In the 2005 and 2006 school years, the students of the UCMST have been treated to what has been come to be known as Fire Alarm Hot Dogs. A fake fire drill is called, and as the students file outside to complete the drill, they are greeted with a veritable cornucopia of hot dogs and condiments.

Camp Echo Grove

One activity that was unique to the freshman class is a trip to Camp Echo Grove near the beginning of the school year. At the camp, students are put into groups where they learn the importance of teamwork and good communication through activities designed by the camp. This experience helps freshmen get to know each other better, and, through the activities, teaches essential lessons for success. In the previous years, the freshman class has gone to either Joe Dumar's Fieldhouse or Camp Tamarack. These events have been canceled and similar activities are now held at the IRC building. These events are excellent.

Coordinates: 42°36′51″N 82°59′04″W / 42.61404°N 82.98436°W / 42.61404; -82.98436

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