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Gathering STEAM to Cultivate the Leaders of Tomorrow Expansion of STEAM Initiative/Fab Lab/Entrepreneurship and Global Marketplace Leadership Rationale: Schools today are preparing students for a world we cannot yet imagine. Jobs that exist today will likely appear radically different over the next decade. As industry and technology advance and certain skilled trades become more automated, those who thrive will be the ones who have abilities that no machine can reproduce. As Daniel Pink notes in A Whole New Mind: Why Right-brainers Will Rule the Future, the shift from the information age to the conceptual age will require leaders to exercise creativity when thinking critically about how to solve problems. Those leaders will need to be collaborators who are not afraid to make mistakes in an effort to uncover the most remarkable solutions. They will also need to practice empathy by “get into the shoes” not only of those in their immediate vicinity but also of those across the globe. Such connections require sensitivity to differences and the ability to see oneself as a citizen of the world whose contributions have the possibility of reaching those far and wide. Our Gathering STEAM Program aims to do just that. Students will engage in critical thinking by solving problems in a number of contexts using skills learned from various disciplines. Most directly, areas related to technology – engineering and computer science – provide the opportunities to develop the concepts of design thinking. However, cross-curricular integration is a key component in developing strong leaders. Rather than applying skills learned in discrete classes, a sort of “silo-type” demonstration of mastery, students will use math and science to solve an engineering problem. They will then use skills learned in English classes to communicate (in writing and speech) their findings and solutions. Some problems will require research skills, much like those applied in history, in order to determine what solutions may or may not have worked in prior circumstances. Lastly, as part of the Fab Lab network, students will practice global citizenship as they share ideas and seek information from colleagues throughout the world. Ultimately, Charlotte Latin School’s goal is to nurture the leaders of tomorrow by providing them the opportunities to identify problems in the world around them, engage in research, collaborate with others to prototype solutions, communicate findings to stakeholders, and bring their ideas to market. All of the foundations of a liberal arts education are applied in a way that enables students to see how their work is meaningful and can change the world. Broad Goal: To enable students to apply liberal arts in practical ways to solve problems in the world around us

 

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Multidisciplinary Approach: Students will draw on skills acquired in all subjects (writing, mathematical computation, scientific research/process, international communication, cultural awareness) Project-Based Learning: Courses in the program will utilize project-based learning methodology to engage students in problem-solving techniques and strategies that require the application of skills and knowledge from a wide range of subjects taught in the liberal arts curriculum. Additionally, students will be expected to consider the “human impact” of the solutions they develop. In other words, what are the moral and ethical considerations involved in the proposed solution(s) to the identified problems. Subject Areas Involved:

• Science – scientific method, research/experiment considerations and parameters • Math – application of principles and formulas to make estimates • English – writing and communication • History – research fundamentals and historical trends • World Languages – communicating across cultures • Technology –means and processes are required to produce solution(s) • Arts – creative processes used to conceptualize possible solution(s)

Curriculum: The STEAM program will intersect with courses in the regular curriculum through a thematic approach. Such a collaborative effort will require time for common planning. As a starting point, here are some possible themes for our STEAM program:

• Power & Energy • Elements & Processes • Life & Movement • Transportation • Communication • Music • Inventions

Program Overview: - Changes in Engineering - Changes in Computer Science - Integration of 21st Century Skills - Creativity, Innovation, and Leadership (Entrepreneurship course)

 

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Needs: Item Funding Needed Fab Lab (upgrade from current Maker Space) $143,000.00

($45,000 from capital budget; hoping for another $8,000 from Parents’ Council = $90,000)

Fab Lab Academy - MIT Training for Teachers – CLS becomes a certified Fab Lab, part of a world-wide network of schools (high schools, colleges, and universities) that work collaboratively to develop solutions to real-world problems Teachers interested:

Tom Dubick – Science & Engineering David Taylor - Science & Engineering Brian Sossamon – Technology Ian Brauner – Life Sciences Richard Fletcher – Visual Arts Andy Tucker – Technology & English

$30,000 ($5000 per participant)

Entrepreneurship Initiative Funding – as a capstone experience the winning projects (as determined by a panel of alumni and community business leaders) will be given funding to bring product/service to market (see Entrepreneurship and Global Marketplace Leadership course description for more details)

$5000

Total

$178,000

Mistakes are a part of the road to success — little failures lead to great successes.

- Author Unknown