STREAM
STREAM
What is STREAM?
STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and math) is an expansion of the STEM movement that is broadened to include religion and the arts. To fulfill our mission of educating the whole child, we have taken the components of STEM and incorporated religion to strengthen each child’s spiritual foundation and the arts to provide avenues to improve creative thinking and communication skills. These aptitudes are important in all subject areas. While STREAM emphasizes the subjects of science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and math, it works in conjunction with all subjects of learning to create unique activities and comprehensive projects. Much like the real world, this allows students to use all of their talent, knowledge, creativity, and hard work to solve problems and provide solutions.
Why is STREAM important?
In a rapidly-changing world, it is important that we equip our students with the skills and mindsets needed to be successful in the careers of today and tomorrow. As technology expands and global economies become increasingly complex, success is not just measured by what you know, but what you can do with what you know. It is increasingly vital to expand students’ skillsets in order for them to succeed in careers and fields that don’t even exist yet. Finding the best answer among many possible solutions, developing prototypes, working professionally in a team environment, and preparing to defend data are just a few of the skills that are essential to the future success of our students. To learn more about the future and careers in STEM, click on this link to the National Science Foundation's report on STEM.
STREAM Vision: To equip our students with the skills and mindsets to be successful in the careers of today and tomorrow.
STREAM Mission: Employ project-based learning, team-building exercises, and critical thinking to solve real-world problems emphasizing the core values of ACS.
Pre-K building snowflakes out of toothpicks and marshmallows.
7th and 8th graders on a tour of the Electrical Engineering Lab at Mississippi State University.
Robotics Club testing an apparatus out of Lego in order to make "Robot Art".
2nd graders watching a demonstration with dental tools as part of a school-wide STREAM Career Expo.
STREAM lessons and projects focus on real world applications and 21st century job skills:
CRITICAL THINKING CREATIVITY COMMUNICATION COLLABORATION CURIOSITY
CRITICAL THINKING
Understanding the information needed to complete a task and where to find it
Distinguishing fact from fiction
Making connections between lessons and real world applications
Problem-solving
Objective reasoning
CREATIVITY
Innovation
Original thoughts and ideas
Brainstorming
Artistic endeavors
COMMUNICATION
Discussion and debate
Writing
Presenting
Verbal and non-verbal
COLLABORATION
Teamwork
Mutual respect
Building on others' ideas
CURIOSITY
Asking questions
Investigating ideas
Pursuing new knowledge
"Knowledge is like a garden; If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested." African proverb
How will STREAM be utilized in the classroom?
It is important for our students to know why their education is important and how it will be used outside of school. The purpose of STREAM is to teach students how to approach problems and implement new ideas. This is accomplished through wide range of lessons, activities, and projects that focus on the hands-on application of knowledge and skills. Students are given the chance to study a variety of subjects to pursue this goal such as agriculture, culinary arts, architecture, entrepreneurship, and digital media. ACS also utilizes learning models such as Arts Captivating Spirits, the Autonomous Learner Model, and Multiple Intelligences to educate the whole child and discover every child’s special talents and interests.
