STEAM Education

The STEAM program at Nativity is aimed at cultivating students interest in STEAM related fields while building on Nativitiy’s mission statement. STEAM enhances what Nativity already does with solid academics, with a Global Perspective where the arts and technology are integrated into the classroom.

What is STEAM?

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math

Where will STEAM be Taught?

While most will take place in the classroom some will take place in the newly renovated Learning Commons. The Learning Commons, which was originally the Church and then the Gym, was renovated in 2018 to create a new library space, study huts and a STEAM and Technology Lab on what was the stage area. This area can be reserved by Faculty to use when they need additional space or want to use the STEAM lab for specific projects in coordination with the STEAM Instruction Specialist.

Why Add STEAM?

“The arts” (including liberal arts, fine arts, music, design-thinking, and language arts) are critical components to innovation, and that the concept is not about giving equal or more time to STEM or arts, but to incorporate, where appropriate, the artistic and design-related skills and thinking processes to student-learning in STEM.”  – John Maeda

STEAM is a natural addition to Nativity’s already robust curriculum and something we have been doing for years. With the addition of our STEAM Instructional Specialist we are formalizing what we have been doing and expanding on it

STEAM will

  1. Encourage natural curiosity
  2. Attracts more students to STEM fields
  3. Allow for more real world learning
  4. Promote collaboration across disciplines

Nativity’s STEAM Goals

  • 5 year goal: Fully integrated STEAM across all instruction K-8
  • 3 year goal: Set an example for other schools to follow
  • 2018-2019: Use the STEAM lab as much as possible
    • Use technology in effective and innovative ways