You may first have become familiar with the STREAM model of education when we introduced the new Catholic Academy of Waterbury and East Shoreline Catholic Academy (ESCA). In both a press release and our blog, we explained:
The STREAM structure explains how all the divisions of education and life work together. It is an authentically Catholic liberal arts curriculum where the subjects are coordinated to support each other under an instructional framework that highlights how science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the broad spectrum of religion and the arts all connect in the real world. This framework reinforces the centrality of Catholic identity to every aspect of the school program.
In this blog, we want to talk more about the benefits that a STREAM academy offers your young learner’s mind and soul.
You can’t spell “STREAM” without “Catholic identity.”
Before we begin to discuss the many academic benefits a STREAM program provides, we want to address the issue of keeping religion in the classroom. We know how important it is for you, since it is most likely one of the major reasons you chose a Catholic school. And it is just as important to us. There are no secular subjects in any of our schools. Fostering the Catholic identity of the schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford is our top priority, and we have always taken great pride in actively integrating Catholic values across the curriculum. This emphasis on faith interwoven throughout an excellent academic experience is one of the factors that make our students so successful. It is our Catholic identity that puts the “R” in STREAM.
Why is a STREAM curriculum so important?
STREAM fields are the largest job growth segment in the 21st century. STREAM-related jobs have increased by 14% since 2010. This is 5–8% higher on average than other job sectors.
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After 2020, 48% of jobs will require higher levels of cognitive skills such as active listening, communications, analytics, and collaboration. At this moment there is a shortage of skilled workers to fill those positions, and that shortage is making it difficult for our country to stay competitive in the global market. Since our ultimate goal has always been to have our students become virtuous citizens and leaders in an increasingly global and technological world, the STREAM instructional framework adapts to these needs — while always continuing to encompass an integrated curriculum of academic excellence and moral virtues.
In addition, we know from countless research and educational practitioners that students learn best when connections can be made and they can apply what they have learned. A STREAM model provides many purposeful opportunities for the application of learned skills along with collaborative thinking to solve real-world problems.
A STREAM instructional model benefits everyone for multiple reasons. While all our schools seek to integrate Catholic identity across all aspects of the curriculum, STREAM schools manifest this intent through projects based in social justice as well as in-depth experiential instruction in the teachings of the Church.
STREAM schools provide a challenging learning environment focused on science, technology, math, arts, and the integration of education in the faith that inspires the joy of discovery.
STREAM academies provide opportunities and space for students to explore, for trial and error, reflective questioning, listening to and evaluating alternative opinions, critical thinking and problem solving, and constructing innovative and creative solutions to real-world problems while maintaining fidelity to Archdiocesan curricula as the foundation for basic skills.
A STREAM framework builds upon a solid foundation where all learning not only takes place, but can take root and grow!
Are you interested to learn more about the STREAM academies or the STREAM instructional model? Let us know in the comments!
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