THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 42, NO. 31 | MARCH 19, 2021
MIEGE STUDENTS ‘LEAD THE WAY’
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD
Bishop Miege seniors Erin Garr, left, and Charlie Hill, both National Merit Finalists, place a truss in the engineering department’s Structural Stress Analyzer.
Program fosters thinking on your feet to solve real-life problems By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
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OELAND PARK — Bishop Miege senior Aidan Oblepias believes being a part of the innovative engineering and computer science program Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is the most meaningful part of his high school experience. “I think without it,” he said, “I really would have no idea where I would be going to college. “Since I’ve been able to experience those real-world applications of problems [through PLTW], I kind of have a direction where I want to take my education.” Oblepias is not the only student to feel this way. Since the PLTW curriculum was introduced in 2016, the outcomes have been outstanding. This year, six PLTW students are
What is STREAM education? STREAM learning includes the traditional STEM disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. At Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, it includes “R” for Religion and “A” for the Arts. STREAM education utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to learning that gives students the opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment while addressing relevant real-world problems. It engages students and equips them with critical thinking, problem-solving, creative and collaborative skills that will provide a foundation for success in college and career. This type of learning applies to a wide variety of jobs and professions. For more information, visit the website at: bishopmiege.com and choose STREAM from the ACADEMICS drop-down menu.
National Merit Scholars, including four Finalists. Two of the six also received perfect scores on the ACT. The curriculum of PLTW is part of the high school’s STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) initiative. It offers college-credit eligible classes in engineering and computer science.
The courses prepare students for top engineering and computer science careers. According to STREAM coordinator Joan Gladbach, the “secret” of the program’s positive outcomes is projectbased learning. “Students need to be able to think on their feet,” she said. “You see kids think differently when they take
these courses. “They’re better prepared for life.” Bishop Miege principal Maureen Engen has seen that think-on-your-feet behavior when she visits the classrooms “With traditional education,” she said, “the questions educators typically get are: ‘What’s on the quiz? What’s on the test? How much is it going to be worth? Does spelling count? “I’ve never once walked into a PLTW class where students weren’t talking about something on the computer or actually working together and building something.” “It teaches the skills people are really going to need when they go into the workforce,” she continued, “being a team player, being a team partner and knowing how to participate in a real collaborative effort and take your own part and be courageous enough to give >> See “IT TEACHES” on page 7