ST. LUCY SCHOOL - STREAM School

STREAM SCHOOL

At St. Lucy School we are proud to offer a faith-based STREAM integrated curriculum for our Pre-K through eighth grade students. Stream is a framework for delivering excellence in Catholic education by developing skills in the areas of Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics.

A high-quality STREAM education helps students develop an in-depth understanding of content and expands key skills such as communication, collaboration, inquiry, problem solving, innovation and ethical decision making. These skills will serve them throughout their educational and professional lives. We are excited to have our St. Lucy students explore the world around them through our interactive curriculum.

As a Catholic School, this inquiry-based and exploratory learning environment is anchored in a foundation of faith, thus representing the “R” for religion in “STREAM”. Students experience a culture of innovation as well as a commitment to ethical behavior. We foster an environment that encourages problem solving, group collaboration and research, alongside empathy and respect. We teach our students to be aware of the ethics that play a role in making decisions as leaders and citizens.

STREAM @ ST. LUCY SCHOOL

STREAM at St. Lucy School has evolved over the years. We began with a small set of Apple computers in 1980's. Today, St. Lucy School STREAM reflects hands-on, collaborative problem solving across the subject areas. Elements of STREAM are woven throughout our entire school program, from the academic classroom curriculum; to the rich scientific exploration and engineering experiments in our science lab; to our faith based Family Groups program; to our co-curricular Spanish, art and music classes; to the Jr. high elective programs such as rocket propulsion, clay modeling, and strategy games; to extracurricular clubs such as Chess, Robotics, and Monday math; and also through our family-friendly community celebrations, such as the annual STREAM Celebration or Evening of the Performing Arts. STREAM takes STEM to the next level. It helps remove limitations and fosters wonder, critique, inquiry, and innovation. St. Lucy students also work to develop their communication and writing skills in project journals, lab write ups, and collaborative oral presentations.

10 Characteristics of a STREAM school.

S- SCIENCE

St. Lucy school has two science teachers on staff who inspire our K-8 students with classes held in our modern Science Lab building. The science lab building is fully stocked with a refrigerator, freezer, sinks, microwave, microscopes, camera arm projectors, smart TVs, chromecast/apple tv and an outside area so students can experience science with hands on activities. (Mrs. Quinn teaches Pre-K science in the Pre-K classroom and outside space. )

The interconnectedness of science is taught throughout the curriculum rather than each field of science as separate entities, and includes the fields of technology and engineering. Our science curriculum is fully aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards(NGSS) that have been adopted by the state of California. The NGSS provide a more coherent progression aimed at overall scientific literacy with instruction focused on a smaller set of ideas building each year to the next level.

STEMscopes is the science curriculum we have selected for our K-5 students. It was designed specifically to motivate science students with hands-on exploration. Instead of lecture and teacher-led activities, our inquiry-based approach to learning is based on students asking questions, doing investigations, gathering evidence, and proposing and testing ideas to find solutions. Research shows that inquiry-based science improves test scores in both science and mathematics. But more importantly, it prepares even the youngest St. Lucy students to think like scientists. Students often work in teams at workstations, using inquiry and discovery, hands-on investigation, debate, and creativity to interpret materials to develop meaning and understanding. The emphasis is on problem-solving and the process of discovery.

Saavas (formerly Pearson) is the curriculum we have selected for our Jr. High students. It is an interactive middle school science curriculum that supports project-based inquiry and hands-on learning. Core ideas, scientific and engineering practice and cross-cutting concepts are integrated throughout.

St. Lucy students are well prepared for the rigors of science in high school and beyond. Reading and writing skills are also integrated throughout our science program with written and oral reports, and critical thinking and writing activities.

T- TECHNOLOGY

Technology is integrated into all aspects of our St. Lucy curriculum. We support the expanding role of technology in our students’ world, exposing them to various technological tools and strategies alongside digital citizenship and online safety. Teachers continually seek ways to integrate digital learning in their students educational experience.

Students have technology resources at their fingertips with 1:1 devices, a strong infrastructure, etc etc etc. They are learning not only how to effectively utilize technology but how to apply the knowledge responsibly and positively.

R- RELIGION

As a Catholic School, the inquiry-based and exploratory learning environment is rooted in a foundation of faith, thus representing the “R” for religion in “STREAM”. We promote a culture of innovation as well as a commitment to ethical behavior. We foster an environment that encourages problem solving alongside group collaboration, research, and respect.

St. Lucy School is committed to providing a rich and nurturing faith based curriculum for our students. Each student is viewed as a unique gift from God, with individual strengths and growth areas to develop and share. We celebrate learning, curiosity, responsibility and the development of gifts and talents. Our students create lifelong bonds and learn about God and the Catholic faith while loving and serving others every day.

A- ARTs

St. Lucy school has both an Art Teacher and a Music Teacher on staff. Human emotion is expressed through the Arts. Art, movement and melody along with an appreciation of colors, sights and sounds support development of the whole child.

Grades K-8 have weekly Art classes, and Jr. High students may take an additional trimester long Art elective class. Music students perform twice per year during the beloved Christmas and Spring performances.

Students in grades K-5 have weekly music classes and may participate in the school choir and additional performances at Fun Fest, San Jose Barracudas, Diocesan Choral Festival and more.

E- ENGINEERING

Students engage in a number of engineering projects as they work through the science curriculum. In addition, students in grades 6-8 can choose to do an engineering project for the science fair. Engineering can be simply defined as applying science to practical applications. Science allows us to gain un understanding of reality, of human nature and of the Universe. Engineering allows this understanding to come to life through problem solving, designing & building things. Engineers are problem solvers, organizers, communicators, calculators and designers. These skills rely heavily on rational thinking and logical decision making, which is why most engineers come from science and maths backgrounds. Yet despite this fact engineering can be a highly creative activity when complicated problems are involved.

M- MATHEMATICS

It is important for St. Lucy students to establish a solid foundation in mathematics. In addition to like math and develop self confidence, math skills help develop critical thinking, logic and healthy decision making.

Mathematics is a core subject taught daily and is also integrated throughout the St. Lucy curriculum. Concepts taught the classroom are reinforced through art, science and engineering classes. From cutting and gluing shapes in Pre-K to creating art projects or salt maps in fourth grade to building structures in the science lab, to utilizing geometry or celebrating pi day, math is woven throughout.

Similarly, standards in language art are woven throughout the curriculum. Students constructing beautiful paragraphs in Language Arts class carry those standards through to projects and investigation reports in the science lab. Students practicing public speaking translate those skills from daily intentions, sharing, morning assembly leadership, project reports, science fair, and more.

Monday Math Club is an optional drop-in after school club on Mondays, ran by our Jr. High math teacher. Students who need extra help are encouraged to attend alongside students who love math, want to play math games or can even help learn to tutor younger students.

STREAM Celebration Event