WOODWARD WAY THE STE AM IN SCHOOLS

woodward.edu/visit

Adams agreed. “STEAM education is necessary to best equip students for the increasingly complex and technological world they are living in now and will grow up into. It allows learners to build a toolkit of skills, like being able to approach issues with questions, logic and creativity. By giving our students consistent hands-on experience with maker activities and authentic tools and equipment, they develop a deep understanding of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of modern science and technology, confidence in using those tools and the ability to apply those skills to a wide variety of situations. STEAM also inspires collaboration between students with unique talents and passions to bring their own lens to the communal discovery process. This naturally builds the ability to communicate clearly and technically, a skill they will use for the rest of their lives.”

l Future-Focused Skills

An advantage of STEAM education with a longer road to seeing results is preparation for the future. Career paths are rapidly changing and growing, especially in STEAMrelated fields.

“STEM careers are the most lucrative and abundant in the world right now and will be for some time,” Moss said. “It’s not enough for students to get this exposure in high school or even middle school. We lay the foundation for students who want to enter these career fields. We open their eyes to new ideas and new passions.”

At the Academy of Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Kennesaw Mountain High School, seniors are required to complete a capstone project that includes field experience or an internship with a local institution of higher learning, professional group or business. “Whenever I speak with business leaders and employers about the characteristics of any employee, they almost always look for critical thinkers and team players. Even if students pursue STEAM coursework and choose a career that doesn’t have a STEAM focus, they will walk away with critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” Wood said. “The problemsolving skills they learn will apply to all aspects of their life, not just their careers.”

LEARN ABOUT OUR STEM PROGRAM: WWW.WESLEYANSCHOOL.ORG/STEM

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