About STREAM at St. Ann
Have you ever asked yourself what is STREAM? What are the benefits of STREAM? How does STREAM prepare students for the real world? Why do we teach STREAM at St. Ann? Well, you are in the right spot! Here you can discover the answers to those questions and become a STREAM expert yourself!
Science
What is STREAM:
STREAM is not a new curriculum, but rather, an educational approach that incorporates Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Math.
Technology
Benefits of STREAM:
STREAM is an extension of STEM with the "arts" component added. Including "arts" helps students to be more engaged problem solvers. The "arts" helps students to be more curious, innovative and creative with their solutions when presented with authentic, real-world problems. When students are involved in STREAM, they improve collaboration skills when working in groups, learn to communicate more effectively, are challenged to think critically, increase problem solving skills, and boost creativity.
Religion
How does STREAM fit into the real world?:
STREAM skills are important for 21st century learners to be future ready.
"Employment in STEM occupations grew much faster than employment in non-STEM occupations over the last
decade, and STEM occupations are projected to grow
by 8.9 percent from 2014-2024, compared to 6.4 percent
for non-occupations."
(esa.doc.gov. (2017). STEM Jobs: 2017 Update; Economics &Statistics Administration
[online] Available at www.esa.doc.gov/reprots/stem-jobs-2017-update. Accessed 26 Dec. 2017)
The Engineering Design Process learned in STREAM will carry over to all aspects of life. The Engineering Design Process includes: 1) Defining the problem, 2) Research 3) Brainstorm possible solutions, 4) Develop a prototype from the most the brainstormed solutions, 5) Test and Evaluate, 6) Make Improvements and repeat process, 7) Share out solutions. STREAM teaches students to "fail forward;" to understand making mistakes is a part of learning and growing.
Engineering
Why do we teach STREAM?
We want students to develop all of the skills above and to be future ready. With that being said, however, the R in STREAM (which stands for "Religion") is extremely important to us here at St. Ann. We want everything we do to be centered around CHRIST. He is the reason we are here.
As the STREAM educator, I want to expose students to different STREAM careers. I want them to know what is out there and the different paths they can seek in life. I want to help students find their purpose. I want students to use design thinking to not only find their purpose and to solve challenges presented to them in class, but I want them to become more empathetic designers who understand that using this process can ultimately help them solve problems in their communities and the world.
It is written in the Bible, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." -Ephesians 2:10
Arts
Community Involvement:
Without the help of our wonderful parents, this program could not have been started. One of my hopes for STREAM at St. Ann is to continue to involve parents and other community members to take part in this great program. I would love to seek out parent guest speakers /experts in various STREAM lessons that pertain to your professions and/or hobbies. Volunteers are encouraged to come in to help facilitate larger projects that require handling of many materials (especially in the lower grades). Lastly, I will send out "SignUpGenius.com" from time to time when we are in need of various supplies. Finally, prayers are always welcome. I want this program to be successful for everyone involved. I want students to understand they are talented and they have gifts to share. I want them to learn to believe in themselves and to see themselves as contributors of good in the world.
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Math
Thank you for taking time to read about St. Ann STREAM program. I look forward to updating out website frequently with the many great projects students are working on!