Annunciation Catholic School is proud to announce they just received Cognia's National STEM Certification.
This means ACS integrates STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) into all facets of their students' education.
According to Cognia's website, "the Cognia STEM Certification Standards embody our belief that high quality learning can transform lives, communities and the world."
Here at ACS, we go one step further and add religion and art to our STEM curriculum to create STREAM. ACS teachers and staff integrate STREAM into lessons starting at just 3 years old. It is not only an extracurricular class, but teachers use it weekly in the classroom with projects such as solar powered cars, science fair participation, and classroom presentations from community members.
Principal Joni House attributes this "huge accomplishment" to her teachers' dedication to prepare students for the future. "STEM education is imperative in today's technology-driven world," says Principal House. "This Cognia certification confirms what we already know here at ACS: that our students leave here able to make an impact on whatever sector they choose to work in."
According to Cognia's Performance Standards, a STEM certified school must excel in four main areas: creating a STEM community, implementing a STEM learning Culture, and providing both STEM experiences and STEM outcomes.
ACS "STREAM" Coordinator Nichole Cancellare explains, "the purpose of STREAM at ACS is to teach students how to approach problems and implement their original ideas. This is accomplished through a wide range of activities and projects that focus on the hands-on application of knowledge and skills, with emphasis on the core STREAM subjects of science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and math. Students are given the chance to pursue a variety of subjects to achieve this goal such as robotics, agriculture, culinary arts, entrepreneurship, and digital media. We are excited to be able to continue to work with Cognia to improve our STREAM education program."