STREAM Strategic Plan

 
 
   
 
“We want to make sure that we are exciting young people around math and science and technology and computer science. We don’t want our kids just to be consumers of the amazing things that science generates; we want them to be producers as well. And we want to make sure that those who historically have not participated in the sciences as robustly — girls, members of minority groups here in this country — that they are encouraged as well. We’ve got to make sure that we’re training great calculus and biology teachers, and encouraging students to keep up with their physics and chemistry classes…. It means teaching proper research methods and encouraging young people to challenge accepted knowledge.”
President Barack Obama
National Academy of Sciences, April 2013
 
 
STREAM STRATEGIC PLAN BACKGROUND
Blessed Sacrament School’s commitment to implementing STREAM was established in the Spring of 2013. STREAM Education is an enhanced version of STEM Education. The decision to implement STREAM was a response to our school’s desire to ignite student excitement for learning as well as community input regarding the need to enhance our academic programs and produce 21 ^st century learners. 
 
STREAM MISSION STATEMENT
STREAM is Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics Education.   With an emphasis on establishing a highly diverse student and staff population, we at BSS seek to draw from a wide range of academic and life experiences brought here by all school community members.  We strive to build and design a unique learning community that addresses the needs of all students as they engage in Project & Problem based learning activities driven by the Common Core Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, Diocese of Raleigh Core Curricular Standards, and the economic demands of the 21 ^st Century. Our goal is to inspire and “ignite” the appreciation of the STREAM disciplines, while fostering innovative thinking, and to provide students with the Core knowledge and skill-sets necessary to explore potential professional opportunities in STREAM related fields. The BSS STREAM program will provide a platform to integrate Social Studies, Physical Education, Music, Literacy (Reading and Writing), and Social Development.  Special emphasis will be given to the integration of literacy across all STREAM domains.
 
 
STREAM STRATEGIES
With a strong focus on project & problem based learning, staff and support community members will promote two strategies to facilitate the delivery of a rigorous STREAM program: Curriculum Integration and Cross-Grade Curricular Articulation.
Curriculum Integration is a teaching strategy that embraces the idea that the boundaries between individual subject areas are taken down and most activities make connection to other subject areas.  For example, a study of area and dimension in mathematics can provide an opportunity to research and design an outdoor garden area.
Cross-Grade Curricular Articulation is the logical progression of learning objectives from grade level to grade level, from course to course, within each discipline.  Articulation requires close collaboration by staff across all grades.  For a student to successfully progress from Grade 6 to Grade 7, they will have been exposed to and have mastered all the necessary prerequisites in Grade 6 for success in Grade 7.    
 
  DISCOVER – BSS will engage in self-reflection and examine current curriculum resources

• Examine Lab Learner curriculum for STREAM opportunities.
• Highlight topics that have math/science crossover possibilities.
• Identify possible community based partnerships. (Labcorp, GTCC Aviation Center, Elon University, etc.)*
• Identify parent/community members that are willing to serve on STREAM Implementation Committee.
• Assess the needs of the school and how STREAM education can play a role in meeting these needs.
• Brainstorm local projects that will enhance and benefit the school community (school garden, Grotto, athletic field, etc.)
• Research engineering programs for future purchase.
• Discover common thread within each subject area, including religion and art, by allowing teachers time to collaborate and share ideas/projects.
• Research Grants available for BSS. 

 
DEVELOP - BSS Teachers will attend Professional Development to further their knowledge of  STREAM integration (averaging 10-20 hours of professional development)

• Attend out of school conferences.
• Network, visit and collaborate with other STEM or STREAM school communities.
• Attend Professional Development provided by BSS Leadership Team (See 2013-2014 Professional Development Plan for details)
• August 16 - Attend STREAM 101 Training
• September 23 –  Attend technology & STREAM PD provided by BSS (continual throughout school year – see BSS Technology Plan)* 
• October – Post “Bridging the Gap” Seminar Turnkey session (Conference held Oct. 14&15)
• November – collaborative work session with peers to examine curriculum/IOWA Score Interpretations session
• December – collaborative work sessions with peers
• January – Teachers share STREAM Projects with peers*
• February – TBD
• March  - TBD
• April – Teachers share STREAM Projects with peers*
• May – Teachers reflect on progress

 
DESIGN – BSS students, teachers and committee members will create and design STREAM activities.

• Create Field Trips that are curriculum based.
• Design grade level/problem based project.
• Design MS wide problem/project based opportunities.
• Create virtual “Bank” of projects for BSS teachers.
• Create STREAM Blogs for teachers, students, parents, etc.
• Library will be transformed into a collaborative work-space where ideas can be shared among students and teachers.*
• Teachers will research and collaborate on effective methods to assess student learning through STREAM approach.*
• School Leadership will budget appropriately for funding needed for implementation.* 

DELIVER – BSS will implement STREAM based activities for students.

• Integrate STREAM club in afterschool enrichment program.
•  Middle School Electives that are STREAM based. (Lego robotics, Sea Perch, Careers in STREAM, Junior Scientists, Video Arts, etc.)
• Use AYLA resources. (John Deere,  US Green Building Council – Pied Triad Chapter)
• Increase use of Science Lab for grades 5-8.
• Increase availability of technology by implementing BYOD policy and the BSS Technology Plan.*
• Provide Blue Ribbon series programs that integrate the STREAM vision.*
• Guest speakers that represent STREAM education, careers in STREAM, STREAM in everyday life, etc.*
• GirlStart Club: Encouraging young girls to discover passion for STREAM disciplines.*
• Technology Tools will be listed and available to school community through BSS Website.*
• Mid-Year and End of Year Reflection sessions on progress and successes.* 
• School Leadership will recognize those accomplishments made by teachers and staff. *

 
  
*Correlates with the NCDPI STEM Certification Rubric.



RESOURCES
Rubric for meeting STEM Certification Released Nov. 2012 for Middle School:   https://www.ncstem.org/sites/default/files/Nov1STEMAttributesRubric_MIDDLE_v3_11012012.pdf
Project Lead the Way: http://www.pltw.org/
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction – STEM Page: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/stem/
Bridging the Gap Conference in Raleigh: http://bridgingthegapnc.com/
North Carolina New Schools STEM Page: http://ncnewschools.org/
The Center for Excellence for Research, Teaching and Learning CERTL: http://www.wakehealth.edu/Research/CERTL/Professional-Development-for-K-12-Teachers.htm
2013 Scaling STEM Conference Information: http://scalingstem.org/
GirlStart: Empowering Girls in STEM: http://www.girlstart.org/index.php
NC STEM Learning Network: https://www.ncstem.org/stem-strategy/attributes-rubric.html