STEAM thrives across all three divisions
STEAM education at Rabun Gap has grown leaps and bounds over the last several years and is making a huge impact on student learning in all three divisions.
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math and incorporates all of these disciplines into engaged learning. The STEAM electives and afterschool activities that Rabun Gap offers in all three divisions give students the chance to innovate solutions to real-world problems, learn skills like cooperation and leadership, and foster entrepreneurial and problem-solving skills. Students are not only learning woodworking and metalworking, but are also exploring computer science, data science, 3D-printing, and robotics.
Dr. Michael Lomuscio is the STEAM Director and leads STEAM efforts across all three divisions of the School.
“I’m really excited about the progress we are making and the school’s dedication to promoting STEAM across all three divisions,” said Dr. Lomuscio. “I enjoy working at a school that gives students authentic, hands-on experiences, solving real-world problems and developing skills that will benefit them for the rest of their life.”
STEAM at the Lower School
The Lower School is well equipped to help their students delve into STEAM within their regular curriculum as well as twice a week during the after school program. Mr. Arthur Gross is the Lower School STEAM Coordinator and runs the afterschool STEAM program. In this program, students have been learning engineering concepts and how to use basic tools through resources like Infento Rides, which is a life-size erector set that allows the user to build bikes and scooters; Grid Beam, wood with predrilled holes that can be used to build structures; and MakeDo, a system that allows the students to work with cardboard and comes with special cardboard screws so that they can build large-scale structures and prototype ideas.
During the day, Rabun Gap’s youngest students are encouraged to explore STEAM ideas through special projects that are being adopted in the classrooms. Ms. Garner’s third-grade class has started using a computer science curriculum called Bitsbox, which offers nine different units that teach the basics of coding through a virtual tablet that students learn to write apps for. Ms. Neidle’s second graders, with help from Mr. Gross, have put together and are maintaining an aquaponics system.
Robotics will soon be introduced to the Lower School students as well. A robotics competition set has been purchased with the goal of eventually getting the Lower School students involved in robotics competitions.
STEAM at the Middle School
In the Middle School, students engage in STEAM through not only classroom learning and the school’s effort to roll out problem-based learning, but also through the makerspace and STEAM afternoon activities.
In the Middle School, students engage in STEAM through not only classroom learning and the school’s effort to roll out problem-based learning, but also through the makerspace and STEAM afternoon activities.
The Middle School makerspace is a highly equipped general-purpose project space where students are encouraged to experiment, build things, 3D print, and more. It has everything from duct tape to hot glue, craft supplies, and computer equipment for creating podcasts, videos, and presentations. The computers also have the software for students to create virtual reality worlds and can be used to develop 3D models to be printed on the 3D printer.
Mr. Jamey Ledford is leading the curriculum and instructional STEAM efforts at the Middle School as Project Based Learning Specialist. He works with Middle School teachers to help incorporate more hands-on learning experiences and projects into their classrooms.
Ms. Rachel BySura and Ms. Carrie Kuehne run the after school STEAM program throughout the school year. In this program, students are given the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities that utilize science, technology, engineering, art, and math. This season, through collaborative efforts with Mr. Bert Fusco, Middle School students have been designing and building set pieces for upcoming shows and have shown that they have no problem using power tools. Ms. Kuehne also coaches a team of math students who compete in MATHcounts competitions.
STEAM at the Upper School
Students in the Upper School have several opportunities to get involved in STEAM. Six STEAM trimester electives are offered throughout the school year that are themed or based on student interest, including small group engineering, robotics/computer science, metalworking, and a variety of other topics.
Dr. Michael Lomuscio teaches a data science course, where students are learning machine-learning algorithms such as decision trees and random forests. In the coming trimesters, his students will work on natural language processing, neural networks, and image recognition.
The STEAM afterschool program is offered during all three trimesters and is led by Mr. Brian Phillips, Dr. Michael Lomuscio, and Mr. Hagos Yohannes. In this program, students are encouraged to explore their own interests and to take on specific advanced projects around the school. Projects have included building storage solutions for the STEAM building and working on RC fixed-wing aircrafts to make them autonomous and to make them able to create topographical maps using sophisticated software. During this season, Mr. Phillips’ afterschool students have the concession stand trailer in the STEAM building and are making modifications to it. He also has students working on an old donated mini cooper to help get it running.
STEAM equips students for the real world
STEAM is an important component of modern education and is a priority for Rabun Gap. What started as an afterschool STEAM activity with only a few students has blossomed into a vibrant program that has a presence in all three divisions. With the updated Dess Olivier STEAM Center, students have access to a facility that houses all of their STEAM needs under one roof. It also houses a state-of-the-art classroom that provides the space for other classes to use for special projects or assignments.
Through the STEAM offerings that Rabun Gap provides, students come away with a plethora of real-life skills they can apply to life after school and beyond. As projects are often collaborative and group-based, students have to take on leadership roles, work with each other, communicate effectively, create plans, learn from failure, resolve disputes, and stay encouraged in the face of disappointment. The equipment in the STEAM building is the same type of equipment a student would use to rapidly prototype their ideas. They can walk through the whole process of learning how to start a business or develop a product. Rabun Gap’s STEAM program offers a safe place to experiment with ideas and learn from failure.
“My favorite part about STEAM is seeing the creativity and confidence that finally bursts out of a student when they learn how to apply the engineering and problem-solving process that we work through with every project,” said Mr. Brian Phillips. “When they develop a few skills with some of our tools and take the process to heart, it is really fun when I get to take a step back and see what they create on their own.”
The opportunities for learning created by the STEAM equipment and programs would not be possible without the support of generous supporters including parents and families, alumni, foundations, businesses, and community friends. Together they are making a big impact in learning at Rabun Gap.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.
