STEM — Science Technology Engineering and Math — curriculum began in the early 2000s in the United States.

A school that has a STEM curriculum seeks to provide enhanced educational experiences in STEM often in the form of additional and advanced classes in each area. However, there are drawbacks.

“This type of approach is over a decade old. It’s like giving students a 10-year-old computer and asking them to meet today’s needs,” states Dr. Ann Gaudino, principal at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School.

For this reason, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic is developing a STREAMM+ Integrated Curriculum. It is being piloted and will be fully implemented beginning in the 2015-2016 school year.

STREAMM stands for: Science, Technology, Religion, Arts, Math, and Medicine. “Integrated” means these areas are infused throughout the curriculum in ninth through 12th grades so that every student experiences them. “Plus” means that enhanced AP, College in High School (CIHS), and topic specific electives are offered as individual courses with an in-depth focus.

“At Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, we are forward thinking in working to prepare students for the 21st century and, in fact, situations and technologies which have yet to evolve,” explained Gaudino.

“We have the best faculty. They are experts in their field, hard-working, care about every student, and are highly capable of delivering this sophisticated curriculum.”

At CWNCHS, all students experience and are assessed in STREAMM in every class. Teachers take a cross-curricular approach to lessons to help students understand connections and develop both depth of knowledge and skill concepts in each curricular area.

Through the Integrated STREAMM+ Curriculum, students gain more advanced knowledge and skills coupled with the real-world application they need to be successful both now and in the future.

This article was submitted by Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic.