St. Francis Xavier builds STEAM curriculum

Courtesy of St. Francis Xavier School

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KEARNS — The faculty and staff at St. Francis Xavier School have been working hard all summer to make way for some big improvements in student learning. This year, students at St. Francis Xavier will have more exposure to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning than ever before, helping them learn to become effective critical thinkers and excellent problem solvers. St. Francis can even use the term STREAM because the religion curriculum helps integrate the ethical and moral considerations of all subject areas.

“We’re in the beginning stages of what I think will be an incredible benefit to all of our students,” said Assistant Principal Mary Duncan.

The kindergarten and middle school are piloting a new science curriculum that “provides students with the authentic experience of being a scientist in the real world,” said Middle School Science Specialist Vicky Simpson.

Kindergarten teacher Kerry Kennedy agrees, saying, “The experiments and the real life applications will only increase that sense of wonder in our young learners.”

Rachel Cooke, the Fine arts teacher, is expanding offerings in art and music, which will impact the students in their other subjects.

“Arts education encourages students to be well-rounded humans who cultivate beauty in the world around them,” she said. “Creativity is necessary for a career in any STEM field; art is the practice of creativity and the more you practice the better you get.”

Principal Marianne Rozsahegyi, who is looking forward to a partnership with Utah Online Schools, will teach coding to her middle school computer classes. “Having the opportunity for students to learn through a self-paced, fun and engaging program for coding games and apps is exciting,” she said.

Courtesy of St. Francis Xavier School