Next Generation School is now offering a new program that inspires curiosity, active engagement, and creative thinking. STEAM Studio by Next Generation is a dynamic and innovative enrichment program that explores the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math, in response to the need for high-quality programming in our area.
Offered to the entire Champaign-Urbana area and NGS students in grades kindergarten through fifth, this program gives children the opportunity to spend after school hours in an environment that will foster the analytical, creative, and critical thinking skills necessary for success in the ever-changing landscape of the global community.
Led by Angela Nelson, an educator recruited by NGS for her leadership in the area of STEAM education, students will experience a wide-range of activities perfectly suited for after school programming. “Students have the opportunity to take part in engaging and stimulating curriculum to increase achievement and create positive attitudes towards the study of STEAM-related fields,” Nelson explains. “In addition to enriching and creative STEAM programming, the studio provides time for homework and snack, as well as safe transportation from the student’s school to the NGS campus.”
Currently, STEAM Studio has participants from Unit 4 elementary schools, University Primary School, and Unity East Elementary, all of which are picked up daily at dismissal. When students arrive they are divided into two learning groups, grades K-2, Zeptos, and grades 3-5, Terras. The groups are offered assistance from Studio teachers while they complete homework and enjoy a complimentary snack.
From 4-5 p.m., each learning group engages in hands-on, lab-based lessons that center around a main unit. Examples of units range from ornithology and entomology to engineering challenges and robotics. They finish their day in studio inquiry where students are allowed to continue their projects independently or explore their own STEAM-related interests with guidance. The Zeptos’ current unit is speleology, the study of caves, and the Terra’s are investigating meteorology, with an emphasis on extreme weather.
“We have already constructed a life-size cavern complete with cave formations and organisms. The students are excited to have a family exposition to teach their friends and family about the things they have learned and created. Our Terras are in the process of creating their own emergency weather broadcast, which has an extensive use of technology as they film and edit their material on iPads. They will also post their videos on the STEAM Studio blog!” said Nelson.
“Through the multidisciplinary framework of the Studio rather than a traditional approach to teaching these subjects, students acquire an understanding of the world and how they relate to it and can fully participate in it,” Chris Bronowski, Head of School at NGS, says. “They develop multiple solutions to problems and learn the importance of moving from one solution to the next, combining, exploring and thinking of the possibilities. They also learn how to change their perspective on an issue quickly. At the same time, they are acquiring a tremendous amount of knowledge that will be authentically applied to each project they encounter.”
The program also extends to a full day program on dates when participants do not have school. The students who attend can arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. for a program packed with STEAM-related activities, field trips and guest experts.
To learn more about STEAM Studio or its coordinator Angela Nelson, please visit nextgenerationschool.com or call Next Generation School, (217) 356-6995. Application materials can also be found online.