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Why STEAM? newspaper
Chandler Unified School District’s “STEAM” Academy for the Gifted
Scientific, Technological, Engineering and Mathematical (STEM) Literacy
+ the Arts = STEAM
  • wA rigorous, diverse, project-based curriculum
  • wAcceleration of Core Content
  • wCritical and Creative Problem Solving
  • wInterdisciplinary Studies
  • wDesign and Inquiry Based Learning
  • wInterest-Driven Personalized Learning Plan  
A gifted academy for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics would:
  • nImprove the quality of instruction for the unique needs of CUSD gifted learners,
  • Create a motivating, flexible and innovative environment for 21st Century learning, and
  • Provide the stability the CATS families desire.
Research from United States Department of Education states that STEM education:
  • Develops inquisitive, creative, resourceful thinkers; informed citizens, effective problem-solvers; groundbreaking pioneers and visionary leaders,
  • Prepares students to be active, creative, knowledgeable and ethical participants in our globally networked world, and
  • Engages students intellectually, socially and emotionally as they collaborate on interesting and relevant projects.
The following are recommendations from the National Association for Gifted Children Task Force in March of 2009
  • Develop talent and strengthen opportunities at all grade levels in technology and engineering.
  • Provide opportunities and materials for innovative math, science, technology, and engineering.
  • Ensure that students work with peers of similar interests and abilities.Garner support and mentoring for STEM initiatives from a wide range of community stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with mathematicians, scientists, engineers and technology experts in mentoring and development of programs.
w“Arts education can benefit academically gifted students by increasing the complexity and rigor of the curriculum, promoting extensive use of a variety of problem-solving strategies, heightening student motivation to pursue a topic of interest in depth, and developing rich skills in communicating with varied audiences.”
w“Arts education can benefit artistically gifted students by introducing them to the multiple possibilities for expression with the arts, educating them in the skills of perception, production, and performance.”
- National Association for Gifted Children
 
CATS Program Principles Utilizing “STEAM” 
Principle #1 - Support mastery of accelerated core content incorporating depth and complexity
  • Technology assisted monitoring to accelerate student outcomes and support differentiating
  • Use of technology to increase rigor and complexity of foundational skills in literacy and math
Principle #2 - Develop an understanding of the interrelationships among the disciplines
  • Science-based Interdisciplinary modules incorporating social studies and the arts with mathematics and literacy
  • Interdisciplinary modules that ensure application of core standards using design thinking practices
  • Student designed systems for making connections, drawing generalizations and achieving balanced perspectives      
Principle #3 - Develop inquiry skills

All thinking begins with wonderment--Socrates

  • §Real world problems and challenges that support finding and framing research questions
  • Purposeful problem solving—a sense of efficacy as a thinker
  • Wonderment, inquisitiveness, and curiosity
Principle #4 - Develop critical and creative thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills
  • Hands-on, arts-infused learning modules
  • Complex and non routine problems encouraging novel approaches towards solutions and/or proposals
Principle #5 - Develop proficiency in communicating abstract and complex  ideas, relationships, and issues
  • Multi-media presentations and performances geared toward authentic audiences
  • Assumptions, beliefs, decisions and perspectives are communicated