I-STEAM education – integrative science, technology, engineering, the arts and math – is crucial for both student success and global competitiveness. The New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) is launching a series of programs, “Are you I-STEAM ready?” to help school districts enrich student learning in those areas.
The first session will focus on the “A” in STEAM and will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (registration at 8:30 a.m.) at the NJSBA headquarters in Trenton, N.J. The program is free to New Jersey school leaders, and sponsored by the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey.
Read below to learn more about the sessions taking place at the Sept. 19 program:
The Rock and Roll Forever Foundation
Rock musician and actor Steven Van Zandt, founder of the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, has formed a collaboration with NJSBA to provide teachers and administrators in New Jersey’s public schools with free access to arts-based, STEAM-aligned professional development and educational materials. During this interactive session, learn how to use the student-centered, interdisciplinary curriculum resources to promote critical thinking and problem solving.
STEM and the Arts Presented by the NJAEP
Rigorous STEAM teaching and learning sparks student inquiry and harnesses the advantages of interdisciplinary study. The New Jersey Arts Education Partnership (NJAEP) will share how the key elements of robust arts programs serve to enrich student experience, as well as teacher practice. Connections to Arts Ed Now, New Jersey’s statewide public awareness campaign, will be made clear through colorful examples of STEAM learning.
I-STEAM Primer
I-STEAM is a framework for teaching, learning, and professional communities that engages students in authentic and creative learning opportunities. This session, delivered by the NJSBA and the N.J. Department of Education, will review the key characteristics of a collaborative and integrated learning environment to maximize student engagement, critical thinking and design challenges.
Registration Information This program is open to all N.J. public school leaders and district staff interested in learning more about I-STEAM education. Seating is limited and registration is required. School leaders may register online through Eventbrite.
For more information on this program, please contact John Henry, NJSBA I-STEAM and sustainable schools specialist.