Sussex-Wantage school starts STEAM program
SUSSEX BOROUGH — The Sussex-Wantage Regional School District met its first goal for 2015-16 by starting the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math program at the Sussex Middle school for sixth through eighth grades.
It also includes public speaking, as the Arts has been added to the STEM curriculum.
The district met its second goal through developing teachers during the school day.
Outside reading, writing, and special education consultants taught “Demo Lessons” to students in grades 3-8 for the teachers to observe. The reading demo consultant made changes mid-year based on input from the teachers. A final teacher survey will be taken at the end of the school year.
The final district goal of the schools and community sharing more information through Google APS. was also met. Within the last six months, 19,000 files were uploaded, 1,618 files were shared, and 1,050 users exist in the district. Now teachers and students produce files together in “real time.”
On top of that, 84 independent teacher websites were created.
Many students and parents attended the math and reading Nights. Officials will tie the Parent Academies to the Math and Reading Nights because few parents attended the academies. Parents could have learned about: Google APS., Common Core Math and English, Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers testing, next generation Science standards, and Social Studies standards.
In 2015-16, the Study Skills Curriculum will include STEM courses; 3D printing will be available at the middle school; and students will learn to use more advanced technical elements in presentations. The STEAM program also will be part of the Science Curriculum for the Lawrence and Wantage Schools.
In 2016-17, officials would like to implement final Digital Presentation Design. Equipment needs to be upgraded, and teachers need to be trained. Ultimately, the STEAM design cycle will be included in all subject areas.
School board member Robert Heiden asked if the $70,000 in architectural improvements at Wantage Elementary School was for STEM and about the digital production improvements.
Superintendent Jeanne Apryasz confirmed the money is earmarked to renovate the Child Study Team Conference Suite and Faculty Room at Wantage.
Higgins said that computers need to be replaced at the middle School, and a room needs to be upgraded for an enhanced video editing production studio.