Full STEAM ahead
The Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics (STEAM) Academy at New London High School is helping students advance their aptitude in fields that may hold a future career for them. The STEAM Academy’s mission is to help prepare students for careers by providing them with relevant, rigorous, technology-driven educational opportunities in a collaborative learning environment. Lisa Breaker is the STEAM Academy coordinator. She is joined by Academy staff members Danielle Kamba, Rochelle Meyer, Diane Vantassel, Kyle Lubinski, Tami Thorne, Colleen Berry, Andy Fuhs, Samantha Kable, Brian Kurszewski, Joe Connelly, and Jeff Meske. "Moving to the Academy structure has helped students to recognize career paths that are of interest to them," stated Breaker. "Last year the ninth grade students completed an Interest Inventory that was based off of the career clusters. Those clusters are the foundations of each of the academies. The STEAM Academy has five career clusters, and each cluster features various courses. Here is how they are divided: • Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources: Classes in agribusiness management, environmental science, horticulture, small animal care, natural resource management, and introduction to agriculture; • Architecture and Construction: Classes in architectural drafting, carpentry, drafting, electricity, metal processing, and principles of engineering; • Manufacturing: Classes in computer applications, drafting, introduction to engineering, machining, metal processing, and principles of engineering; • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: Classes in AP calculus, AP biology, AP chemistry, introduction to engineering, physics, pre-calculus, principles of engineering, and statistics/AP statistics; • Transportation, Distribution and Logistics: Classes in computer applications, introduction to engineering, physics, principles of engineering, small engines, and statistics/AP statistics. Students must take three or more credits from one of the five career clusters to receive a STEAM Academy certificate of graduation. Students taking four credits of world language will earn an international language certificate at graduation. Some STEAM Academy goals include establishing the academy as a leader in educational innovation; encouraging students that high tech, high profile careers are attainable; and creating career plans that lead students through the course of study and better prepare them for a career choice or opportunity at a technical college or four-year institution. "The goal this school year is to start working on interdisciplinary projects within the academy," commented Breaker. "Many of the teachers within the STEAM Academy have come up with projects tying subjects like mathematics with technology education and English with occupational work experience. As we meet throughout the year it is our goal to do more projects within our academy." To learn more about the STEAM academy, visit http://nlhssteamacademy.weebly.com. The next article in the series of stories on New London High School’s Career Academies will focus on the Health and Human Services Academy.
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