STREAM Toward a Brighter Tomorrow!

ACS is proud to announce the addition of STREAM. Here at ACS we have always focused on the different components of STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and mathematics), but this year we are going EX-STREAM!

What is STREAM?

STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and math) is an expansion of the STEM movement. As a Catholic school, we have a mission to educate the whole child, so we have taken the components of STEM and incorporated religion so as to strengthen each child’s faith journey. The arts are also an integral component so as to give each child a way to creatively express themselves and their newly strengthened knowledge and provides them a way to think about the Engineering Design process with an aesthetic perspective.

A common misconception related to STREAM is that it is a set curriculum. In reality, STREAM is simply a framework for a creative approach to delivering educational standards. In other words, STREAM is an innovative way of presenting concepts to students so as to maximize engagement, increase rigor, and to approach problem-solving with an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of living in an interconnected digital world.

STREAM is also a visual description of how this initiative works. Core areas such as science and math are interwoven seamlessly with engineering concepts, and collaboration, cooperative learning, and dialogue flows amongst students, faculty, and stakeholders.

Why is STREAM important?

In a global economy that is becoming increasingly complex, excellence is not just measured by what you know, but more and more by what you can do with what you know. It is increasingly important to equip our students with skills and dispositions that can make them successful in careers and fields that don’t even exist yet. Solving a tough problem, finding the best answer among many possible solutions, developing prototypes, effectively engaging in evidence based argument, creative problem solving, and preparing to defend data are just a few of the skills that are essential to the future success of our students.

How is ACS implementing STREAM?

Annunciation is leading the way in the Southeast in STREAM implementation. The Arts in the Classroom Initiative, Arts Captivating Spirits incorporates the arts into all subject areas. ACS is committed to giving students 21st century technology skills by focusing on coding and robotics. Technology is also integrated into all subject areas to empower students to leverage technology to reach their learning goals. 21st century learning and innovation skills (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity) are integrated through inquiry-based learning. To demonstrate a commitment to excellence in STREAM, a STREAM Coordinator was added to the ACS family in the fall of 2018. Professional development with a focus on STREAM has allowed for dialogue, networking, and vertical planning; STREAM principles are now evident in all grades and special classes. ACS has been so successful in implementing STREAM because the philosophy of interconnected content areas, higher order thinking, and a focus on empathy and social justice have always been the priority of Annunciation Catholic School.