Students who take engineering physics and engineering systems at The Chantilly Academy may now have those credits transferred to George Mason University — thanks to an articulation agreement signed last Thursday, Jan. 27, at The Chantilly Academy after a three-year effort between the two schools.
"What an awesome opportunity to give the students," said Academy Administrator Doug Wright.
At The Chantilly Academy, which draws 1,100 students from 18 high schools, students may take anything from computer systems engineering to cosmetology to culinary arts.
STUDENTS MUST successfully complete the two engineering courses and pass the required exams to receive credit for SYST 101, Understanding Systems Engineering, part of the Systems Engineering program at GMU.
"It's the beginning of something I hope will continue a long time," said Dr. Kathryn Laskey, GMU associate professor of systems engineering and operations research department.
The Articulation Agreement requires communication between The Chantilly Academy faculty and GMU faculty, classroom visits, and campus and laboratory tours.
"We're showing people there's a bright future out there," said Marty Rothwell, physics engineering instructor at the Academy. "We want [students] to find their passions and go there."
The ceremony was the first of its kind in Fairfax County and included dignitaries from George Mason University, including President Alan Merten, as well as from Fairfax County Public Schools.
"This ought to be the model on how we create these partnerships," said Dr. Jack Dale, Superintendent of Fairfax County Schools.
The ceremony included a Power Point demonstration by The Chantilly Academy Robotics Team — Imad Arain, Drew Goralczyk, Thomas Choi and Amy McLaughlin. The robot, Captain Hook, takes six weeks to build from scratch and will be used in competition against schools from across the U.S.