PROVIDENCE – All Saints Academy, a Catholic school in Middletown, is now the second educational institution to be awarded STEAM Academy status via Roger Williams University’s School of Continuing Studies, the school announced in March.
The recognition, which underscores the importance of science, technology, engineering, arts and math elements in a curriculum, was granted after All Saints completed training through the Center for the Workforce and Professional Development at RWU’s School of Continuing Studies.
“It is a great day for All Saints STEAM Academy,” Principal Anita Brouse said in a statement. “Our recognition as a STEAM academy marks us as leading the way in education.”
Brouse explained All Saints makes an effort to do three things in its teaching and implementation of STEAM focus: “Imagine the design, dream the innovation and launch through fabrication.”
In prepared remarks, RWU President Donald J. Farish said: “Weaving art into STEM is a way to nurture curiosity in science and engineering. Both science and art involve hands-on learning, and most kids benefit from hands-on learning – rather than talk about [it], you do it. The larger point is instituting experiential learning in elementary schools.”
The first school to be named a STEAM Academy by RWU was Providence’s St. Thomas Regional School. Additional schools interested in achieving STEAM Academy status through RWU should contact Dawne Pezzuco, director of RWU’s Center for Workforce and Professional Development, at dpezzuco@rwu.edu.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
