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STEAM

Since the 2019-2020 school year, we've proudly championed STEAM education, recognizing the significance of the "A" for arts in cultivating well-rounded students. At our school, the arts are seamlessly integrated into every aspect of education. We ensure that STEAM principles are woven into our curriculum, with a dedicated school-wide STEAM period each week and STEAM-centric clubs. Our approach empowers students to tackle unfamiliar challenges with creativity and innovation, fostering the skills necessary for success in an ever-evolving world.

The definition for STEAM education below has been widely accepted and used by various organizations and school districts working to develop STEAM programming.

“STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons as students apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise enabling the development of STEM literacy and with it the ability to compete in the new economy.” (Tsupros, Kohler, Hallinen, 2009)

While this definition addresses many of the foundational components of STEM education, the Chicago Public Schools aspire to develop STEAM schools that seamlessly integrate the fine, media, and performing arts into the instructional core.  

“The goal is to foster the true innovation that comes with combining the mind of a scientist or technologist with that of an artist or designer.” (Rhode Island School of Design)

CPS STEAM Schools embrace this goal by providing students with opportunities to engage in learning experiences that will support them in developing the types of skills needed to effectively tackle unknown problems in creative and original ways.  The CPS STEAM Standards for Success and the CPS STEAM Classroom and School Vision Statements highlight this and other aspects of STEAM education that will set the CPS STEAM Schools apart from others across the district and the nation.

CPS STE(A)M Classroom Vision

Everyday in every STEM classroom in CPS, all students will:

  • Actively make sense of and construct solutions to complex questions
  • Productively contribute to the learning community to support a culture of collaboration, risk taking, and innovation
  • Regularly reflect on and communicate their understanding of disciplinary ideas

Through these experiences and purposeful opportunities to face interdisciplinary challenges, students will graduate from CPS as knowledgeable, flexible, and resourceful problem solvers prepared to make the world a better place.

CPS STE(A)M School Vision

STE(A)M Schools embrace this classroom vision in every classroom and every learning experience.  School leadership, teachers, staff, families, community members, and external partners collaborate to promote and provide a holistic, integrated, and relevant education for students that connects them to resources and experiences they would not otherwise have access to.  With intentional support and guidance, students build strong, positive STE(A)M identities putting them on a pathway to explore and excel in STE(A)M careers.