Our Mission
Ensure America’s technological future by generating interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through real-world examples in a SUSTAINED classroom environment with an all-volunteer corps of engineers/scientists/technical professionals.
About RST
RST is a 501C-3 non-profit, all-volunteer organization comprised of technical professionals and engineering
graduate students dedicated to exciting students about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). RST brings STEM to life with an extensive 24 week, inquiry based, after school program structured on California standards. Since 2005, RST has developed
and honed a classroom-proven approach that has the potential to be expanded for use across the country.
RST believes it is imperative to create interest in math, science and engineering before students enter high school. A common complaint by students is “Why study math… I’ll never use it!” since they typically do not see the link between math and science. Because algebra is the gateway to higher-level math, and therefore science and engineering, the student’s failure to grasp algebra effectively limits the pursuit of a technical career. For this reason, RST addresses the challenge at the 8th grade Algebra level. The backbone of the RST program is the weekly lab requiring students to build an experiment, use math skills to calculate the expected outcome, measure that performance and compare the results. This reinforces the link between math and science and provides the thrill of “hands-on“ engineering. Analysis of student performance data shows strong correlation between attendance at RST sessions and improved test scores. It should be noted that RST volunteers include female technical professionals who provide outstanding role models for female students.
RST works under the direction of the teaching staff to reinforce lesson plans in a weekly after-school session structured to excite students about "aerospace" applications of math being learned in the classroom. Our purpose is to support the teacher by first helping students to learn the classroom material and then to gain an appreciation of this material through discussions, examples and sample problems.
The main themes introduced/reinforced throughout the sessions are "Math is a Tool", "Math is the Language of Science" and "Science and Engineering Create Our World".
In summer 2012, RST successfully completed its first seven week program for the Achievement Institute of Scientific Studies (AISS). AISS is a non-profit organization that helps economically disadvantaged Santa Ana high school students gain a university education in STEM careers. Starting in Fall 2012, RST begins its 8th year of after school STEM programs in the Santa Ana Unified School District.Test scores from RST's first year have shown that students who have attended the sessions on a regular basis have improved their class grade. Analysis of student performance for subsequent years is ongoing. There is significant anecdotal evidence that the program is succeeding in creating interest. A long term study is active to follow-up with students who have attended the program. We are continually seeking volunteers to expand our effort. If we Engineers won’t do it, who will?