STREAm
What is STREAM?
We want WNY to know that programming in Catholic Schools is FORWARD THINKING. At Our Lady of Victory we are educating students for their future. STREAM stands for Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. It inspires teachers to include and develop 21st century instructional strategies at ALL levels so that students take with them the skills necessary to flourish in today's world! In many schools around the nation, you might see STREAM referred to as STEM or STEAM. STREAM activities are hands-on, project-based and designed to help students gain real world experience. The STREAM Education Initiative encompasses students Pre-K to 8.
For the past 4 years, OLV provided a series of extra-curricular courses, known as STREAM Academy to our students. This is one phase of the STREAM Ed. Initiative. We've come a long way in making STREAM a way of life for our students.
In May of 2016, OLV applied and received the honor of becoming a STREAM School. With that declaration, OLV received an initial STREAM grant from the Diocese of Buffalo to kick start its efforts with the promise of mentoring, collaboration, community connections, field experiences, continuing STREAM Academy extra-curriculars and additional funding opportunities over a three year period.
The STREAM Education Initiative is not a new curriculum, but a way to deliver curriculum with 21st century skills in mind and STREAM Education Principles as the foundation. Incremental and sustainable professional development for teachers and the STREAM Coordinator are provided along with programs at the school, throughout the year, to achieve the initiative goals.
STREAM Education Principles |
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21st Century Learning |
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THERE'S NO PRACTICE LIKE BEST PRACTICE!
How we teach must reflect how students best learn. It must reflect the world our students will move into. These continuous improvements and updating of programs reflect excellence in education.
STREAM ACADEMY
During the summer, teachers attended professional development classes and several received kits to use to provide extra-curricular "courses " aligned around the STREAM Principles. On Thursday's , the last part of the school day, the entire school participates in a STREAM Academy of their choosing. These courses are fun, engaging, challenging and ungraded.
They are built around engineering and other STREAM principles. Courses currently are offered Pre-k to 8 in the first trimester are CSI forensics, Robotics, Primary Engineering, LEGO University, Arcade Academy, Lights Camera Action, OLV Project Runway, Bubbles and others.
This is an exciting time, but additional support is needed. Support is needed for:
- Supplies for the over-all STREAM Ed. Initiative and STREAM Academy.
- An improved science lab for older students
- The purchase of specialized science kits for all students
- Funding for buses for Field Experiences
- Other
If you would like more information or you would like to make a donation to help OLV's successful STREAM program, contact Mr. Joe Patti, STREAM Coordinator, at 828-9434 or via email at [email protected].
