STEM Marin is a dynamic, four-year program designed for students who are deeply curious and passionate about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through a rigorous, hands-on curriculum, students engage in Project-Based Learning—a model that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and real-world application. Students actively build knowledge by designing and executing projects, fostering both independence and collaboration.
Do you dream of discovering new innovations, designing impressive structures, or tackling real-world challenges? The Engineering Pathway is an ideal fit for students who love to think creatively, build with purpose, and explore the powerful connection between science and engineering. As a CTE (Career Technical Education) certified program, this pathway offers a deep dive into STEM while equipping you with the skills and experiences needed for college and future careers. Just like professional engineers, you’ll follow the design cycle—planning, testing, and refining your ideas—while learning to manage critical resources like time, materials, and team collaboration. Along the way, you’ll explore how engineering can solve global problems and make a real impact in diverse communities, helping you develop a broader understanding of the world.
Below is a year-by-year breakdown of the STEM courses students take in the Engineering Pathway.
During their first year, students will complete the following courses:
Rube Goldberg Machine: Studying forces and mechanical advantage
Physics of Sports: Video studying motion and impact
Fire Away: Studying spring potential energy and projectile motion using trebuchets
Hybrid Car: Studying transfers of energy
Solve A World Problem: Studying the engineering design cycle
Intergalactic Planetary: Studying orbital motion and Earth systems
Build a Band: Studying waves
Outdoor Furniture Design: Studying infrastructure, blue printing, budgeting and structural design
Robot Art Show: Studying electricity, electronics, and programming
Do It Better: Studying perseverance and re-engineering
Students taking the Environmental Engineering course will focus on four essential human needs: Land, Water, Air and Energy. Students will study nutrient cycling, food and agriculture and the water cycle. Climate change, energy use and urban design will also be topics of study. Students will understand how all life is connected on our planet and hopefully leave the course as even better stewards of the environment and advocates for positive change in their communities.
Secretary of the Future: Studying ecology
Build a Protein: Studying DNA, macromolecules, and protein synthesis
Replace an Organ: Studying Anatomy and Physiology
Murder Mystery:Studying genetics
Super Species:Studying evolution
Biotechnology Product:Studying biotechnology
As Juniors, all students will focus on the following courses:
Classification of the Universe:Studying Atomic structure and periodic table
Wat-er We Drinking?:Studying Atomic structure and theory
Chemical Dominoes:Studying chemical reactions
Movie Special Effects:Studying chemical and physical properties
Hand Warmer Design Challenge:Studying thermodynamics
Power Generation:Studying thermodynamics
Equilibrium can be sickening when not present!: Studying chemical equilibrium
Marble Statues and Busted Bolts:Studying reaction rates
In their final year, all students will complete the following courses:
The Tower
Walk It Off: Gait Analysis
Heal a Broken Heart: Replace a Heart Valve
Have it your way: Fast Food Restaurant Layout/operational efficiency
Drink up: Water Fountain design
Stay Dry: Waterproofing with nanotechnology
Research problems in Engineering topics of Choice
Senior Capstone Project: Students plan, design, and implement their own project in a STEM area of interest
Whether you’re aiming to be a scientist, healthcare professional, or researcher, the Biotech Pathway gives you the tools, experience, and connections to launch your future. The Biotech Pathway is a college and career prep program for students passionate about making a difference in a rapidly evolving industry. As a CTE (Career Technical Education) certified pathway, Biotech blends academic, technical, and occupational learning to prepare students for high-demand, livable-wage careers in fields like healthcare, agriculture, and environmental science. The hands-on, project-based curriculum covers everything from basic lab techniques and safety protocols to cutting-edge breakthroughs and bioethics. Students explore the role of science in society, gain insights into emerging biotech careers, and develop core skills such as using industry-standard lab equipment and applying scientific methods. In junior and senior years, students can earn college credit through articulated courses with Solano Community College.
Below is a year-by-year breakdown of the STEM courses students take in the Biotech Pathway.
This course covers Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, the Human Body, and Cells and Molecules. Projects and labs include:
Secretary of the Future: Studying ecology
Build a Protein: Studying DNA, macromolecules, and protein synthesis
Replace an Organ: Studying Anatomy and Physiology
Murder Mystery: Studying genetics
Super Species: Studying evolution
Biotechnology Product: Studying biotechnology
Projects in Chemistry include:
Design a strategy to clean contaminants from water: Understanding water and water chemistry
Detecting GMO’s: Understanding GMO Pro/Con, what and how GMO products are used in our society, with PCR and chemistry
Making Biofuel: Using Chemistry/Biotech to use waste Bio Products to produce energy
Everyday Chemicals and Human Health: Understanding chemicals that are around and how they affect our Health
Energy Flows and Energy Systems: Explore how we use Energy and How we can use less and be more efficient
Projects in Physics include:
Truck Pull: Understanding Energy, Power, Force, and Mass Units
Spinning Stuff: Exploring the physics of things that spin
Marble Roll: Understanding the physics of two dimensional movement
Sports Video: Exploring the physics of sports
Bouncy Pool: Exploring the results of Newton and his laws
Student Planets: Astrophysics with students, distance, movement
The course will cover the following topics:
Basic concepts and techniques used in Biotechnology
basic laboratory skills including materials handling and safety
how to manage time in the laboratory environment
using and maintaining equipment
proper use of significant figures
scientific notation
calculating concentrations to make solutions
statistical analysis of data
pH and buffers
appropriate use of lab ware for measurement
careers in Biotechnology
Bioethics
applications of the scientific method such as designing experiments, following and writing protocols, troubleshooting, analyzing and interpreting data, presenting data in written and oral form using graphs and figures and using data bases and resources and product research and development.
Labs will include electrophoresis, DNA isolation, restriction digestion and plasmid mapping, bacterial transformation, protein purification, and culture of microorganisms
The course will prepare students to work in Biotechnology laboratory and to continue in further studies in Biotechnology. The course will cover the same basic information covered in Biotech 1 with more advanced labs, techniques and agricultural biotechnology.
Labs will include:
plant biotechnology
DNA isolation
restriction digestion and plasmid mapping
bacterial transformation
protein purification
PCR
western blotting and ELISA
DNA sequencing.
Students will create a resume and cover letter and practice interview skills, do an internship or a research project in collaboration with a scientist in industry or academia, complete an electronic portfolio and present a primary research paper