In a major addition to the school’s academic offerings, Father Ryan High School announced that it will be launching a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) program for 10th-12th graders beginning this fall, according to Jim McIntyre, president.
This academic initiative provides hands-on, practical, project-based opportunities for students to explore their interests in STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math – by developing and practicing real-world skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, project-planning, time management and communication.
Projects might include: mechanics and structures; computer graphics; scientific data and analysis; software engineering; and robotics and control technology.
Father Ryan’s STEAM will use personalized, project-based learning experiences and environments to increase their students’ capacity through engaged, active and social problem-solving. The course will take place in a reconfigured computer lab that will be called the Irish SmartLab.
“We are constantly challenging ourselves to develop programs that enhance the academic experience at Father Ryan,” McIntyre said. “The Irish SmartLab will provide fertile soil to inspire new leaders to discover and pursue with passion their ideas, intuition and creativity.”
Principal Paul Davis said the Irish SmartLab experiences will be student-led, with faculty members serving as facilitators rather than teachers.
“This STEAM initiative builds on Father Ryan’s academic strength and offers even more diverse learning opportunities for our students,” he said.
For the program, Father Ryan is partnering with Creative Learning Systems, which was founded in 1987 and serves more than 2.4 million K-12 students in 650 student-led, STEM-focused learning activities across the country.
Academic Dean Jennifer Anton led the effort to develop and introduce the program. “Our Irish SmartLab will be an exciting place, where students will work through their ideas and then bring them to life,” Anton stated.
For more information about the program and Father Ryan, visit fatherryan.org/STEAM.
