The 6 C's and STEM Learning
If you want your children to be prepared with the 6 Cs for the future: think critically, communicate clearly, work collaboratively, develop creativity, build good character, and appreciate community; enroll them in a school with a strong STEM program. At Vanguard Gifted Academy, we offer STEM plus. We incorporate Research and the Arts into our STEM program and call it STREAM. Our students are engaged in STREAM every afternoon!
In STREAM, children learn to work across the domains of science, technology, research, engineering, the arts, and mathematics to create solutions to problems. The first step in problem-solving for mathematicians, scientists, and engineers is the creative process of brainstorming ‒‒ thinking outside the box to imagine potential possibilities to resolve a problem. Brainstorming can be done alone, but it doesn’t take long for children to realize the value of collaboration during brainstorming. The number of potential solutions rises exponentially the more people you have contributing to the process. Each person’s expertise, experience, and character will influence their vision for a solution. Once children start to share, they quickly utilize connections within the learning community to expand on each other’s ideas or trigger new ideas.
Once the brainstorming has offered a variety of solutions, it is time for research. Students engage in critical thinking skills as they gather information and analyze its value: Did it come from a quality source? Does it support or eliminate some of the brainstormed ideas? Does it confirm or dispute their prior knowledge? The use of mathematical data collection charts and Venn diagrams helps students organize and clearly communicate the information they find. Children are building character as they take responsibility for contributing quality information to the project. Once again it is time to collaborate and come to a consensus as to what solution or solutions should be pursued to resolve the problem.
The next step in creating a solution is using critical thinking and collaboration to determine the steps for moving forward and to identify the best person to complete each of the various parts of the project. It is also a good time to teach children about communicating strengths and connections in a way that demonstrates good character. Sharing in a way that is not offensive to the group and will allow the group to make the most efficient progress toward the solution. As students get to work on their parts of the project, they continue to develop a sense of community ‒‒ being a part of something more than what they can accomplish alone; appreciating the opportunity to learn with and/or from someone while trying to achieve a common goal. They also realize how their character ‒‒ work ethic, persistence, responsibility, and quality of work impacts the community.
During the design process, students apply the foundational knowledge of measuring, calculation, mathematical formulas, and geometric features. They engage in scientific processes of experimentation and data collection. As they begin to create their prototypes, they are engineering and re-engineering with various materials, including technology applications. Prototypes also require the use of creative thinking and visual arts to create a pleasing design. In addition, their prototypes offer an alternate means to clearly communicate their solution. During this process, students’ character continues to grow as they face failures, develop persistence, and learn to rely on the strengths of each member of the community.
Once the solution is created it has to be presented using clear communication to an audience. At Vanguard, our students present in three different ways: presentations, interactives, and exhibits. This really engages them in the use of the arts! The dramatic arts teach students how to use a strong voice, body language, and dynamic verbal interpretation. The visual arts are included in the design of games, posters, and facades. Musical knowledge is included as students realize the impact of a musical style when used in conjunction with technology presentation tools. All of this aids in the clear communication of their design process as well as their final solution.
Throughout the STREAM experience, from brainstorming through the final presentation, children advance their conceptual understandings, apply foundational skills across a variety of domains, overcome challenges to reach authentic success, and gain personal confidence from presenting. Each of these experiences is rooted in the 6 Cs that will be needed for continued success in the future.