Holy Child Academy opens science, technical lab
UPPER DARBY » It’s full STEAM ahead into the next school year at Holy Child Academy with the unveiling of a new interactive workspace.
School officials on Thursday morning showed off their new science, technology, engineering arts and mathematics (STEAM) — alternatively known as STEM — lab, a $160,000 learning space for students that will provide a beginning hands-on environment into the ever-growing technical fields.
“We have historically been known as a strong performing arts and visual arts school … and (we) were looking to balance that strength and enrich that education part,” said Holy Child Academy Head of School Margaret Fox-Tully.
Holy Child worked with Colorado-based Creative Learning Systems who designed the lab in the school’s lower floor and brought in a curriculum, resources and equipment to the school. The curriculum is self-driven and there is room for students to find more projects outside of their grade level.
Students will be able to build their own robots, create stop-motion films, learn about using solar energy, computer coding and circuits, and even building up their own creations with Zometool construction kits. Their projects will be kept in an e-portfolio that will grow as they progress in the STEAM classes, building a foundation of knowledge before they enter high school.
“It’s exciting that they can get to do this every week,” said Fox about students using the lab.
The lab will be used this summer for STEM camps before the whole school gets their hands on all of the projects that await them. Class time for the the STEAM classes will run about 45 minutes for students, but those in fourth through eighth grades will receive double that time.
Funding for the lab came through grants and private donations.