CIS’s STEAM ambassador Ben Cooperman shares everything you need to know about this unique teaching approach.
As parents, we want the best for our children – that includes sending them to a school offering a curriculum that is not only interdisciplinary, but also challenges them to think outside the box. If you’re on the hunt for a school that ticks all these boxes, we say check out Canadian International School (Singapore)! It takes learning a step further through its STEAM teaching approach, which integrates Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Arts and Maths. This approach develops your child’s critical thinking skills and provides them with the tools to solve real-world issues. Read on below to find out what CIS STEAM ambassador Ben Cooperman has to say about the approach…
Empowering students in the 21st century
In this day and age, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to every issue students might face in life. That’s why it’s important for us to look for a teaching approach that encourages children to think creatively, like CIS’s STEAM teaching approach. But what exactly is STEAM?
“STEAM at CIS stands for Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Arts and Maths,” says Ben Cooperman, CIS’s STEAM ambassador. “It’s an educational approach that helps our students understand the connections between these five disciplines through creative thinking, problem-solving, iteration and inquiry.”
But why is STEAM important? “Our STEAM teaching approach helps children develop vital and transferable skills needed to thrive, regardless of where their passions and interests lie,” says Ben. “It teaches them to be flexible, think creatively, and collaborate and communicate with their peers around them. That means students are given a chance to create, experiment and invent in a safe environment – exactly what our kids need!”
The best part? The approach is student-led and hands-on. Meaning kids from pre-kindergarten onwards will learn new skills and improve their current ones throughout their school years at CIS.
And, the school also has fantastic facilities to aid children in their exploration of these disciplines. “Our Grade One to Six students are exposed to STEAM experiences in our stimulating makerspace rooms,” shares Ben. “They have exclusive use of a dedicated area that’s filled with state-of-the-art equipment.” Think 3D printers, laser cutters and more – now, isn’t that cool?
What you can expect
Through the STEAM teaching approach at CIS, kids can embark on tons of exciting projects throughout the school year. Take, for example, CIS’s Grade Two students, who are currently building planter boxes for growing plants to be placed around the school. “This activity allows students to collaborate with classmates, research ideas and think creatively,” says Ben. “Students need to think about what plants they want to grow and then apply their knowledge learned from class about vegetation, materials and construction. Plus, students also have the opportunity to learn basic technical drawing techniques and how to operate hand and power generated tools.”
And it’s great for teachers to see their pupils excel and grow. “Witnessing the variety of ideas and solutions each student has, and their excitement and motivation to share discoveries, designs and techniques with their fellow peers as they convert their ideas into reality, is a rewarding process,” shares Ben.
Curious to find out more about CIS’s STEAM teaching approach? Contact its Admissions Team at +65 6734 8088 or sign up for an open house.
This post is sponsored by CIS.