OLP Students Generate STEAM in the Classroom

The STEAM Club has come chugging into the Academy of Our Lady of Peace School, and has, by all accounts, made big inroads with both teachers and students.

STEAM, an acronym that is quickly becoming the new standard in education, stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, according to school officials who have implemented the program.

The program is thought to enhance students’ innovation and creativity while strengthening core skills. The STEAM Club is offered to students in grades five through eight during the school day as part of an elective club period.

The club's first project combined a Halloween theme with the use of "e-textiles". Students used products from SparkFun Electronics to learn about electricity and create holiday-themed fabric decorations that light up. They learned the fundamentals of electrical circuits, using conductive stainless steel thread to sew the battery sources, LEDs  (Light Emitting Diodes) and switches into place.

The projects were displayed in the school's hallways, school officials said.

The STEAM program is taught by math teacher Ms. Intartaglia and technology teacher Mrs. Raleigh.

“Both Ms. Intartaglia and I are excited to create a bridge between the math, science and technology curricula using projects with artistic components,” Raleigh said.

“The mission of the STEAM club is to reinforce these lessons, and nurture the students’ creative abilities. We believe this combination will help inspire the students to innovate in all areas of study.”