The Conrads Program for Integrated Sciences fosters a community of STEM learners who want to grow as makers, innovators and technological leaders for the common good. All SLUH students benefit from the resources available through the Conrads Program.
Among the opportunities available through the Conrads Program, SLUH is proud to present the CONRADS SCHOLARS, a groundbreaking approach to college preparatory STEM education. Conrads Scholars choose a curricular sequence of interest, participate in STEM related co-curricular activities, and translate STEM-learning into service through the Clavius Project, mentoring middle school students in robotics and coding competitions.
Conrads Scholars are prepared to thrive at the most prestigious collegiate programs – and well beyond – as they integrate and apply science, technology, engineering, mathematics and service.
“The Conrads Program helps students take what they are learning in academically challenging courses and to discover how math, science and technology come together in practice. We now have the opportunity to invite students who are gifted at math and science to experience the beauty and joy that comes with seeing what they can do with all they have learned.”
KEVIN FOY, MBA, Ed.D. ASST. PRINCIPAL FOR ACADEMICS
“There is an appetite growing for learning and application in math, science and technology. The Conrads Program is helping us to expand our curricular offerings so we can invite more students into STEM learning, and to challenge advanced learners inside our curriculum and beyond.”
DAN SEE, MS, M.Ed. DIRECTOR OF STEM EDUCATION, COMPUTER SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT CHAIR
PATHWAY FOR CONRADS SCHOLARS
1. COURSEWORK
Students choose one of the four strands and take the four elective courses of that strand, as well as one AP math and one AP science course.
Engineering Innovation
Students learn programming skills to program robots and design bridges and rocket parts. In the final course, students apply their skills and knowledge to create a product relevant to engineering and robotics.
Data Science and the AI Revolution
Students learn programming skills in Python and R in order to analyze data. They learn the foundational mathematical ideas for data science and machine learning and how to use microprocessors to collect, organize and store data.
Computer Science Frontiers
Students learn programming skills in C++ and Java as well as the mathematical and algorithmic foundations of computer science. They also learn how to apply their skills and knowledge to solve problems using computers.
Environmental Science With Microelectronics
Students learn the software, hardware and data skills necessary to prepare them for the Environmental STEM course in which they will conduct complex experiments. They learn to apply the principles of Laudato Si to specific issues using data driven methods.
AP Course Requirement
Students must take at least one AP math and one AP science course to fulfill the curricular requirements of the Conrads Scholars program.
2. CLUBS
Students will actively participate in a STEM related club for at least two years.
STRAND REQUIRED CLUB
Engineering Robotics and/or STEM Club
Computer Science Coding / Hackathon Club
Data Science and AI Coding / Hackathon Club
Environmental Science Energy Team, Farm to Table, Waste Team
STRAND COURSES BY SEMESTER
Engineering Innovation
Data Science and the AI Revolution
Computer Science Frontiers
Environmental Science with Microelectronics
FALL Serve in the Clavius Project / Conrads Program Activities, Speakers and Clubs
SPRING Decision to enter Conrads Scholars
FALL Computer Aided Design (CAD)
SPRING C++ Programming
FALL Foundations of Engineering (FOE)***
Decision to enter Conrads Scholars
Python / Game Programming
Mathematics of Data Science
SPRING Programmable Electronics
FALL STEM Innovative Product Development
SPRING
AI and Machine Learning
Decision to enter Conrads Scholars
C++ Programming
Java Programming
Advanced Topics / Algorithms***
Decision to enter Conrads Scholars
Python / Game Programming
Ignatian Leadership in Integral Ecology (ILIE)
Programmable Electronics
Environmental STEM
AP Computer Science
*** indicates a course that can be taken in the given year or the next year
3. COMMUNITY
Once each quarter, students meet with the Conrads Scholars Student Organization for a planned event. Activities include speakers, off-campus visits, social gatherings, group projects or entertainment relevant to applied sciences. Eventually, Conrads Scholars alumni will be invited to connect with students through the Conrads Student Organization and to share their gifts and professional accomplishments with the Conrads community.
4. COMPASSION
Students serve as mentors to younger Conrads Scholars and participate in outreach to middle school students through the Clavius Project. Conrads Scholars commit to serve in the Clavius middle school program for at least two years.
HOW DO STUDENTS BECOME INVOLVED?
When students make their schedules at the end of freshman year with their counselors, they will decide whether they would like to become a Conrads Scholar. If so, they will choose a strand and sign up for the first course in the strand. We will keep track of student activity in clubs, service and the Conrads Student Organization.
“I have found a true sense of belonging in the Costigan Innovation Lab, the heart of the SLUH STEM program. This space encourages creativity and empowers students like me to transform ideas into ambitious projects using the best tools and technology, all under the expert guidance of our STEM faculty. Our outstanding STEM teachers challenge students to think critically and creatively, solve complex problems, and step outside our comfort zones, ultimately preparing us for success in college and our future careers.”
HENRY BIRKMEIER ’25
