Developing STEAM Skills

Ms. Schwirtz and Mr. Phillip’s Grade 3 classes at Crescent Valley School in Hinton are looking forward to rolling out their new Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) materials. Through hands-on learning, students will be using these materials to think critically and problem-solve by building structures in their upcoming science unit: “Building with a Variety of Materials”. In this unit, students research and use a variety of materials, tools and simple techniques to build things for specific purposes. Students will be presented with a problem to solve, they’ll develop a plan and execute a solution. This type of learning encourages the growth of a maker culture, which teaches students that they can always find ways to improve their world through innovation.

At Crescent Valley, teachers have access to a STEAM room as an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. STEAM challenges focus on logical thought processes and problem-solving. It allows students to develop mental habits that will help them succeed in any field. Other skills attained through STEAM education include critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, decision making, leadership, entrepreneurship, and acceptance of failure.