Understanding the critical importance for students to be well versed in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) in Silicon Valley in order to succeed, Assistance League Los Gatos-Saratoga launched a pilot program this year to bring STEAM projects into elementary classrooms.
A dozen volunteers meet with students at Rosemary School on Tuesday mornings to read a story focused on STEAM activities and then direct and guide students through completing a project on their own. The first project was focused on Rosie Revere Engineer, and using the engineering design process, each of the over 300 students reached had the opportunity to construct their own paper helicopter and then test how it flew.
In the spring students will hear the story of Iggy Peck Architect, and then working in teams will decide how to create the highest possible “building” using index cards. By the end of the pilot year of the project over 1,000 students in kindergarten through grade 5 will have had the opportunity to participate in STEAM projects.
In addition to classroom work, Assistance League Los Gatos-Saratoga also provided funding for 12 teachers in CUSD to attend a STEAM learning conference designed to increase their knowledge of how to teach STEAM to their students.
