The Middle School STEAM program has undergone incredible expansion in recent years. The growing program allows students to explore their creativity as they learn how to operate new tools and technologies. STEAM teacher John Harris is excited about the future, and with good reason.

Mr. Harris sees STEAM as ideal for interdisciplinary learning: “We aim to connect the various disciplines. One collaboration involved the history department and the study of horticulture. Students created simulated floating gardens, or chinampas, which were used by the Aztecs as an early farming method.”

The STEAM curriculum and MakerSpace provide an environment where students can engage in the iterative design process from brainstorming to building. To that end, student schedules will allow for more integration between art and STEAM in 2022-2023. Harris stresses, “If a student wants to design sneakers and build a prototype, we want to make that dream happen.”

The adoption of new tools, machinery, and technology‚ such as a laser cutter, 3D printer, and band saw will help the department achieve its goal of streamlining projects from sixth through eighth grades. “By the time students reach the Upper School, we want everyone to be familiar with the technology—we have all the equipment, tools, and talent needed to get the job done,” Harris explains.