STEA2M = STEM + Arts Integration and 'Aina
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. As Hawaii's first Arts Integration public school, Pōmaikaʻi opened its doors in 2007 with the vision of whole child arts integrated learning for all children. Based on years of research we believed that actively engaging children through the arts required higher level thinking skills, creative problem solving and collaboration to challenge learners at all levels. We dreamed of an education where students learned with their whole bodies, activating all parts of their brain, and embracing their hearts as they connect with each other and the curriculum. We were determined to connect academics through 21st century skills through arts integration and technology. Our innovative journey continues to inspire all the learners in our school today.
The "A" is added to the STEM acronym to honor arts integration as the groundwork of how students learn and how teachers instruct at Pōmaikaʻi school. The "a" also calls to our attention the value of 'Āina, or place-based learning. The 'āina is that which feeds us and provides support for our lives and communities.
The "A" is added to the STEM acronym to honor arts integration as the groundwork of how students learn and how teachers instruct at Pōmaikaʻi school. The "a" also calls to our attention the value of 'Āina, or place-based learning. The 'āina is that which feeds us and provides support for our lives and communities.
Engineering applies knowledge of materials, science and math to problem solving through a process, known as the Engineering Design Process. This is a natural way for children to question, try solutions, evaluate and improve on their ideas. It makes sense to them and helps them make sense of increasingly complex thought processes in all areas of their lives.
Watch this Short video which answers the question, "Why Engineering" with Shirley Ann Jackson, physicist
What does the STEAM Curriculum look like at Pōmaika'i?
Our STEA2M curriculum is not a packaged or scripted program. Rather, the focus of our investigative inquiry and/or engineering design is developed from phenomena experienced by the students.
The STEAM Teacher works together with the GL and classroom teachers, garden teacher and school-wide curricular initiatives to integrate the science, engineering and math content throughout the students' learning journey. Guiding questions are co-constructed between the students and Mrs. Ranken using a technique adapted from the Right Question Institute (see below). Arts Integration is, as with everything at Pōmaika'i, interwoven into the fabric of our STEA2M learning as a way to engage the whole child.
Science notebooks are an important tool to give each student a place to make sense of our classroom work while thinking and working collaboratively while developing their own thinking routines- as described in the work of Harvard College of Education's Project Zero (see below).
In planning the STEAM curricula at Pōmaika'i we consider the NGSS (national Next Generation Science Standards) as well as the unique observations and wonderings our students are making around the world they live in. We often integrate current events in science, technology, and culture to demonstrate the connection to the learning and work of other people and other disciplines.
The STEAM Teacher works together with the GL and classroom teachers, garden teacher and school-wide curricular initiatives to integrate the science, engineering and math content throughout the students' learning journey. Guiding questions are co-constructed between the students and Mrs. Ranken using a technique adapted from the Right Question Institute (see below). Arts Integration is, as with everything at Pōmaika'i, interwoven into the fabric of our STEA2M learning as a way to engage the whole child.
Science notebooks are an important tool to give each student a place to make sense of our classroom work while thinking and working collaboratively while developing their own thinking routines- as described in the work of Harvard College of Education's Project Zero (see below).
In planning the STEAM curricula at Pōmaika'i we consider the NGSS (national Next Generation Science Standards) as well as the unique observations and wonderings our students are making around the world they live in. We often integrate current events in science, technology, and culture to demonstrate the connection to the learning and work of other people and other disciplines.
Our students build prototypes of design ideas and test to see if the design goals are met.
Students develop research questions from their own experiences and gather data to answer their own testable question.