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Objective: The pre-class diagnostic activities are designed to help students prepare for the writing workshop by evaluating their current writing skills, helping them understand the Academies of Loudoun's mission and vision, and identifying how their STEM extracurricular activities align with the application process. Activities: Diagnostic Test: Your Writing Sample: Submit a writing sample to assess your writing abilities. This will provide a baseline for targeted improvements during the workshop. Review ACL Mission-Vision: Familiarize yourself with the Academies of Loudoun's mission and vision to ensure your essays reflect the institution's values and goals. Identify Your STEM Extracurricular Activities: Reflect on your STEM-related activities and achievements, preparing to incorporate them into your writing to strengthen your application.

Objective: This module will equip students with the skills to excel in the Academies of Loudoun Writing Rubric by integrating STEM methodologies and strategic writing techniques to create compelling and well-structured essays. Activities Discussion of the Academies of Loudoun Writing Rubric Criteria: Gain a deep understanding of the ACL Writing Rubric and how to meet each criterion effectively. Analyze and Deconstruct Model Essays: Break down high-scoring essays to identify successful strategies and apply those insights to your writing. Reflect on Your Writing Sample: Critically review your writing to identify strengths and areas for improvement, setting a solid foundation for revisions. Learn the Design Thinking, Scientific, and Engineering Design Methods: Discover how to incorporate these STEM-based methods to strengthen the logic and credibility of your essays. Different Ways to Organize and Structure Your Essays: Explore various essay frameworks and structures that can make your writing more precise, more persuasive, and easier to follow

Objective: Understand the importance of evidence-based writing in STEM and how it relates to the Academies of Loudoun Writing Rubric. Activities: The Academies of Loudoun Writing Rubric Criteria Discussion of Model and Successful ACL Essays What Makes an Excellent Score? Discussion on the Significance of Linking STEM Experiences to Essay Arguments. Introduction to the M.A.S.T.E.R. Method for Making Evidence-Based Claims. We will also introduce timed writing practices using a collection of three retired Academies of Loudoun writing prompts, each centered on Solution, Contribution, and Innovation (SCI) themes. Students will review curated resources tailored to the specific content of the prompt, allowing them to focus on applying their STEM knowledge to their essays. This lesson reinforces previous modules' writing strategies and techniques, enabling students to produce high-quality, evidence-based essays under timed conditions while demonstrating their understanding of the SCI concepts.

Objective: Learn to craft clear and focused thesis statements that serve as the foundation for evidence-based writing. Activities: Practice writing thesis statements on various STEM topics. Peer review and feedback on thesis statements. Introduction to matching thesis statements with STEM experiences using the M.A.S.T.E.R. method. Create strong claims and match each with a relevant STEM experience.

Objective: Develop the ability to pose specific, open-ended questions that lead to deeper exploration and understanding of STEM topics. Activities: Exploration of different types of questions (descriptive, comparative, causal). Practice formulating questions that challenge assumptions and drive inquiry. Case study analysis to apply questioning techniques.

In this unit, students will engage with Situational Writing Prompts, a critical component of the Academies of Loudoun Writing task. These prompts require students to step into professional roles—such as wildlife biologists, engineers, or data scientists—and respond to real-world challenges with well-reasoned, evidence-based solutions. This unit is designed to hone students’ ability to analyze complex situations, gather and evaluate relevant information, and craft persuasive arguments grounded in their STEM knowledge and experiences.

Objective: Learn to gather relevant, reliable information from multiple sources and analyze it effectively. Activities: Instruction on identifying credible sources and gathering data. Practice analyzing information and synthesizing it to support arguments. Use graphic organizers to map out evidence and its connection to the thesis. Gather and analyze information on a selected STEM topic and prepare a brief summary of findings.

Objective: Master the process of linking personal STEM experiences to specific arguments in essays. Activities: Step-by-step practice using the M.A.S.T.E.R. method to link experiences to thesis statements. Writing and peer review of evidence-based paragraphs. Group discussion on the effectiveness of linking evidence to arguments. Homework: Write a full paragraph linking a STEM experience to a thesis using the M.A.S.T.E.R. method.

Objective: Explore various perspectives on STEM issues and learn to write from a point of view that considers broad audiences and meaningful impacts. Activities: Analysis of how different perspectives can shape the understanding of STEM issues. Practice writing from multiple viewpoints and considering the impact on diverse audiences. Group discussions will be held on the ethical implications of STEM and how they influence points of view. Write a paragraph on a STEM issue from two different perspectives, considering the impact on various audiences.

Objective: Cultivate originality in generating ideas and fluency in expressing them clearly and concisely. Activities: Brainstorming exercises to generate multiple ideas related to STEM topics. Practice refining and expanding ideas to add depth to essays. Techniques for ensuring clarity and flow in writing. Generate three unique ideas related to a STEM topic and write essay drafts

Objective: Learn to present ideas in a well-organized manner, addressing counterarguments and supporting claims with logical reasoning. Activities: Instruction on organizing essays for clarity and impact. Techniques for introducing and addressing counterarguments effectively. Practice writing introductions and conclusions that reinforce the main argument. Draft an introduction and conclusion for a selected STEM essay topic, incorporating a counterargument.

Objective: Build skills in responding to STEM prompts under timed conditions, focusing on applying the M.A.S.T.E.R. method and Writing Rubric criteria. Activities: Timed writing exercise based on a STEM prompt. Peer review and self-assessment using the Writing Rubric. Discussion on time management strategies for writing under pressure. Revise the timed writing piece, focusing on areas identified for improvement during peer review.

Objective: Synthesize all skills learned to write a comprehensive essay that meets the Academies of Loudoun Writing Rubric criteria. Activities: Review of key concepts from the workshop. Writing a full essay on a STEM topic, incorporating all elements of the M.A.S.T.E.R. method and Writing Rubric criteria. The final peer review session will consist of a group discussion on essay strengths and areas for improvement.