STEAM

About the STEAM Program...

STEAM, the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, has emerged as a method for equipping students with the skills and knowledge essential to become innovators and leaders in our rapidly progressing, globalized society.

The Cold Spring STEAM Program is taught by Dr. Jean Gradias and Mr. Ryan Francisco to all Kindergarten-Sixth Grade students. The program provides an opportunity for our students to engage in real-world situations and problems as context for learning. In addition, STEAM supports and reinforces our California content standards.

Preparing for the Real-World

Through the STEAM program, our students use Project-based Learning and the engineering design process to create everything from functioning models of human organs, to a symphony of well-tuned musical instruments. The curriculum is fluid and responsive to real-world events. Classroom teachers work closely with the STEAM specialist to generate a seamless flow of lessons that allow students to experience firsthand that the world is not comprised of discrete disciplines, but interdependent, ever-connected systems. Rather than memorizing facts in isolation, students construct a constantly evolving and expanding framework of knowledge - a lasting lens through which they view and make sense of the world around them.

Preparing All Learners

Through STEAM, Cold Spring students are on a journey of discovery, problem solving, failed first attempts, and triumphant solutions. This type of inquiry-driven learning engages students by transferring ownership from the teacher into the hands of the class. The unique strengths and gifts of each student are emphasized, and all learning styles have an opportunity to be successful. Students are scientists and engineers from their first moments at Cold Spring.

Preparing Citizens

In STEAM, our students are fixers. They are yes-sayers, and "I don't know but I can figure it out" believers. They collaborate. They persevere. And fundamentally, they see STEAM as an opportunity for stewardship. They serve the community and recognize their role in contributing positively to the world around them.

The STEAM Program in Cold Spring is engaging, hands-on, and reality-based with many extensions to draw education and the community together for the common good of bettering our school. We believe that STEAM benefits all of our students, and we are very excited and proud of its success in the Cold Spring School District.

State Superintendent of Pubic Instruction Tony Thurmond

“STEM education—or STEAM education, which aligns the arts with STEM learning—is an incredibly important priority of mine. Not only is a STEAM education a great equalizer for our students with career opportunities—especially for our disadvantaged students and students of color—it’s the foundation for our future thought leaders in science, the individuals we need as our society grapples with climate change,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it’s more important than ever that our students are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions. These are the kinds of skills that students develop in science, technology, engineering, and math, including computer science.”

Fifth Grade Project-Based Learning Hydroponics Unit

Learn how the Cold Spring School fifth-grade students learn about sustainable farming in their STEAM class.

Second Grade Project-Based Landforms Unit

Learn how the Cold Spring School second-grade students learn about different Landforms in their STEAM Class

Kindergarten Bee Homes

The Cold Spring Kindergarten Students learned all about Bee Keeping in STEAM Class. The final project was for each student to build their own Bee Home with parent volunteers. As a result, we have lots of Bee experts at Cold Spring School!