STEAMING TOWARD INNOVATION
Science, technology, engineering, art, and math join forces in a movement known as STEAM to promote innovation and problem-solving in the 21st century. This ground-breaking addition to The Barstow School gives students the opportunity to explore new possibilities within their academic program.
Under the direction of Mr. Gavin Wood, the program extends to students in the Lower, Middle, and Upper schools with a total of five classes added in middle and upper school, plus daily STEAM classes in lower school.
One of the most exciting courses, the Upper School Maker’s class, implements advanced technology such as 3D printers, laser-cutters, and computer-aided design equipment. Senior Sophie Johnson remarks on her experience in the Maker’s course: “The class is very independent, and we receive a lot of creative agency.”
The coursework demands creative thinking and inventive logic. However, Mr. Wood does not expect perfection from his students. Instead, he promotes the importance of making mistakes when trying to understand real-world technology. Learning to fail is just one of many things students can benefit from after taking a STEAM course. They will also build and develop skills that set them apart from others, such as improving their thinking process and gaining confidence.
Just as the program advances within the school, it also connects students with a larger community. These real-world connections allow students to create new solutions, such as the Go-Baby-Go project with the Robotics team. The team members modified power-wheels to give children with physical disabilities mobility and a newfound independence. Additionally, students who participate in the STEAM courses stand out among other college applicants. According to Mr. Wood, the overarching goal of the new program is not to just create engineers, but to create innovators who are unafraid to try new things and build a better world.
