OELWEIN -- First days are always filled with nervous moments and awkward glitches.

There were a few of those as classes began two weeks ago at the Regional Academy for Math and Science in Oelwein -- classrooms needed clocks and bus schedules needed calibrating. But the halls also were filled with a bit of excitement as a unique pilot project finally took shape.

"So far, so good," said Dawn Kendall, the academy's administrator.

The school was born out of a collaboration between Oelwein and Northeast Iowa Community College. Administrators wanted a bridge between high school math and science classes and more advanced college curriculum.

Classes at the academy vary from advanced placement calculus and analysis classes to foundations and principles of engineering. Students taking those classes will earn college credit as well as high school credit.

Theoretically, an Oelwein student could receive up to four years of pre-engineering classes before graduating if he or she was a good enough student, said Cain Cushion, an instructor at the school. But most of the classes are for juniors and seniors.

There are 104 students enrolled this year in the academy, most of whom are from Oelwein.

"We feel that was a success to get more than 100 students in that first semester we opened up," said Curt Oldfield, NICC vice president for academic affairs.

In time, the project's backers say, the academy may be a destination for any northeast Iowa student hoping for a career as an engineer or chemist. NICC has consulted with districts within 30 miles of the school to see if there was interest in sending students to the academy. Most responded positively, Oldfield said.

Oelwein Superintendent Jim Patera said the academy also adds an element of vitality for smaller school districts who may have a harder time offering advanced classes. Those districts can send students to the academy for a few hours a day, instead of hiring a teacher certified to teach those courses.

"It doesn't have to be a threat to the small districts because at the end of the day, they can go back home when they're done," Patera said.

The first group of students into Cushion's Project Lead the Way engineering class was a group from the neighboring West Central school district.

This is the second year for Project Lead the Way, a state program that helped spark the academy.

Cushion said the activities focus on problem solving using advanced math and engineering principles.

"Some of the projects are pretty intense," he said. "They can take weeks and weeks to finish."

West Central Superintendent John Johnson said he views the academy as another educational tool for his students. Some districts may not be able to afford a full-time position for specifically advanced math or physics.

"It's difficult to bring someone in a specialized area like upper level math and science," Johnson said.

Administrators said this first semester will be a breaking-in period for instructors and students.

As the kinks get worked out, the class catalog and the reach of the school likely will grow.

Oldfield said there are already plans to include more classes on the biosciences and computer science.

Administrators also hope to see more collaboration with the state's major universities and with private industry. Rockwell Collins donated $50,000 for technology in the school. Patera said there has been contact with John Deere for additional help.

For more information, go to www.go2rams.org.

Contact Josh Nelson

at (319) 291-1565

or josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com.