4 minute read
Entering the Age of STEAM
Entering the Age of STEAM
Written by Miranda Coo
The STEAM Precinct is the most ambitious project in Brisbane Grammar School’s 155-year history.
The building has transformed the western end of the Spring Hill campus into a thriving hub of learning and social connection, replacing the iconic yet outdated 1960s science rooms.
As many people know, the six-storey architecturally designed precinct offers so much more than just new science facilities, by combining Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.
Perhaps what people don’t know, however, is the meticulous level of research, planning and construction, and downright dogged determination over 10 years, needed to turn STEAM from a pipe dream into a reality.
The decade of preparation and consternation culminated in a weekend of celebrations in February, when the building was officially opened by Queensland Governor Dr Jeannette Young on the School’s Foundation Day.
A STEAM Donor Gala and Open House — which was attended by more than 3000 people — were also held.
When applying for the role of Headmaster in 2012, Anthony Micallef pitched the idea of building a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) precinct as part of a raft of solutions to some of the infrastructure challenges BGS faced at the time.
Across 2015 and 2016, Mr Micallef and Deputy Headmaster of Teaching and Learning Steve Uscinski embarked on several research trips to the US and UK, looking at learning facilities and teaching methods on offer at top-performing schools and universities.
What became apparent was the enormous value being placed on taking a multidisciplinary approach to education — which included the creative process — because that is what is required in the real world.
This led to their deliberate decision to put the ‘Art’ in STEAM, instead of offering the traditional STEM model found at other Australian schools.
“Brisbane Grammar School is leading this new era of a broad liberal education, and we are excited for the future,” Mr Micallef said.
“Increasingly, the arts and sciences together influence ethical, political and environmental decision-making at all levels of public and private planning.”
Mr Uscinski was inspired by high-rise schools in Manhattan which maximise small spaces, and the pioneering learning philosophy at Stanford University, commonly referred to as the “d” or “design” school.
“As the beacon for STEAM, Stanford sees the importance of the creative and collaborative approaches, and how the arts can make more appealing and more sense of technical and scientific aspects.
“It is hard to think of a career these days that would not benefit from a strong foundation in arts and technology.”
He pointed to the iPhone as a good example.
“Yes, there is coding, programming and science in the phone, but what makes it appealing is the beautiful interface — it is an object people love having.
“Solving real world problems is never one dimensional and always stretches across different disciplines — nowhere will pay you to solve math equations in isolation.”
Ironically, the new art studios in STEAM have been created out of the old science labs for sustainable and sentimental reasons.
“Students have freedom over their choice of medium, from conventional paint and sculpture through to digital art and installations using 3D programming.
It is hard to think of a career these days that would not benefit from a strong foundation in arts and technology.
“STEAM also focuses on engineering, which is not only about building solutions but also entrepreneurship, of which there is a strong interest at the School.”
For Headmaster Micallef, watching excited chatter between the boys as they problem solve side-by-side in the hanging pods, classrooms and labs has made every hurdle worth it.
“I want to thank each person who helped bring a project of this size and ambition to fruition.
“Your contribution — no matter how big or small — will have a lasting impact in the lives of many generations of BGS students and staff, and their ability to make a meaningful difference in our communities.”
