Out of the gate: promising STEAM year ahead!

The school year begins with a flurry of activity and excitement: new grade levels for students, new students for teachers, fresh energy in the school buildings, and new ideas for serving the students bubbling up everywhere. One month into the new school year the dust starts to settle, the fog starts to lift … and a promising landscape comes into view.

Mr Leroy McClain, long time supporter of the work of the Foundry, returns to Camp Curtin Academy in his new roll as Principal. Under his direction, the Foundry will be continuing to leverage the school's STEM Lab and Broadcasting Studio for student engagement and achievement. We are working to expand the use of both of these resources to reach a greater number of students with quality programming. And, we hope to integrate these resources into the life and fabric of the the school by connecting them with core-class instruction. By way of illustration, imagine 8th graders who might be learning public speaking skills in their English Language Arts class. They might write a speech reflecting on their four years at CCA and deliver it to the camera in the broadcasting studio. Add some quick-cut editing and some background music, and this piece is ready to welcome 5th graders during next years opening assemblies!

Camp Curtin Academy is also home to a small initiative with big possibilities. Ms Johnson and Ms Long are teaming up to work on an integrated Project-Based Learning opportunity for their two 5th Grade classes. While still in early stages of development, this proposed project would incorporate all four of their class subjects (Math, Science, English and Social Studies) into one quarter-long student project. This trial could lay the groundwork for future class-wide and school-wide learning projects and, maybe, little by little, improve the way students understand and value their education.

Marshall Math Science Academy buzzes with energy as student move from class to class. The class structure at Marshall includes Core classes, Flex periods, Interventions, 'Specials' and Enrichment. A student may be given a pass by a teacher which allows them to move from classroom to classroom in order to tailor instruction to that student's individual need. Inside this hive of activity, teachers work to continuously improve their instruction. Many are aware of PBL and eager to try new things in their classrooms. As a Fellow moving about the school, I'm personally encouraged by teachers who understand the importance of connecting the (educational) dots and are reaching out to colleagues to make their teaching explicitly trans-disciplinary. The Specials teachers like Ms Kutz, Mr Spiroff and Mr Williams are especially well-situated for making trans-disciplinary education the norm at Marshall.

The emerging picture of STEAM project-based learning at these schools fills me with hope! May this encouraging picture, our trust in our teachers and our hope for our students keep us striving for excellence in the weeks and months ahead.