The Importance of I-STEAM

The importance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) education is indisputable. Students who are motivated and innovative in their thinking can solve problems and create a better tomorrow.  I-STEAM education is about making every student a literate and contributing 21st-century citizen.

The New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) has embraced the “A” in STEAM, which opens the possibility for higher student interest and engagement through design and creativity, and allows students to innovate when problem-solving in the technical fields. It is also essential that school board members are aware of the impact that I-STEAM, can have on academic performance and the overall success of the students they represent.

NJSBA I-STEAM Services

NJSBA offers training and services to help you evaluate where your school is as it relates to STEAM education. NJSBA’s STEAM Team can help guide your school in making informed and strategic decisions to effectively transition from STEM, taught in silos, to an integrative delivery of STEAM education (I-STEAM). NJSBA will also align the competencies of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to I-STEAM education. The process of I-STEAM, when delivered in a collaborative learning environment, inspires and motivates students while promoting design-based thinking.

It starts with a Wellness Check.

NJSBA offers an I-STEAM Wellness Check to use as a starting point to assess your district’s I-STEAM readiness.

The STEAM Wellness Check is designed to provide districts with an understanding of the organizational culture of the school district and detailed information regarding the integrative process for implementing STEAM Education.

NJSBA’s Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) will work with your school team to create a customized Integrative STEAM plan tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of your district. NJSBA, along with the U.S. Army, will assist the district team with the implementation and improvement in areas identified in the Wellness Check. These areas include, but are not limited to, policies, strategic plans, effective communication, leadership, teaching and learning strategies and other areas related to I-STEAM.

Take the Wellness Check Assessment Now

Next steps.

Following the I-STEAM Wellness Check, NJSBA’s Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) will work with your school to create a customized Integrative STEAM plan that is tailored to meet the needs and goals of your district.  NJSBA can assist with the implementation or improvement in areas that have been identified in the Wellness Check, such as, policies, strategic plans, effective communication, leadership, teaching and learning strategies and other areas as they relate to I-STEAM.

Get Started Today To get started or to learn more about ways NJSBA can help your school take its I-STEAM program to the next level, contact steamservices@njsba.org.