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For Immediate Release
Saint Michael School Engineering Program Draws Attention of State Representative Kate Hogan (D-Stow)
School Program is Good Model for Locally Initiated Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Programs
Hudson, Massachusetts (December 4, 2009) – Massachusetts State Representative Kate Hogan (D-Stow) joined the students and teachers at Saint Michael School today for its new engineering program. The engineering program, held each Friday for all of the students at the school, goes hand-in-hand with the efforts of the national Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Coalition, and is in-line with the efforts of the STEM Advisory Council that Governor Patrick recently instituted for the state.
“I am impressed by the initiative of the faculty and parent volunteers who collaborated to develop this unique program for the school’s students,” noted Massachusetts State Representative Kate Hogan (D-Stow). “It is important that our state promote STEM careers and courses for study for our students. This science program is just one small, but effective example of how to bring STEM-like programs into our schools and begin to cultivate a life-long interest in science in our children.”
What began as an idea shared between a few parents and teachers has now become one of the most popular extra-curricular activities at Saint Michael School.
Tracy Niedzielski, parent and engineer (by profession) presented the plan for forming an after school engineering club. Tracy explains, “We started off thinking that this would be a great introduction to the field of engineering. Our original plan was to hold the engineering club after school on a monthly basis. When more than eighty percent of our students signed up for the first club meeting, we knew we had to rethink our strategy.”
Pat Delaney, School Principal, continues, “The engineering club was part of an effort to expand our curriculum and expose the children to the various fields of science. With the incredible student interest in the engineering club, we decided to incorporate the program into a weekly session for all students.”
Although somewhat of a homegrown program, the parents and teachers involved in leading the program activities have experience in science, or, in the case of several parents involved, work in the science, engineering and technology fields. Each week, this group of teachers and parents collaborate to bring the excitement and real-world application of engineering to life with the student body.
“During each engineering program, the students are doing what scientists and engineers attempt all of the time,” says Ms. Delaney. “They are given the materials and a task and it is up to them to work as teams to plan and execute their projects. They are having fun learning to apply the scientific method to solving problems.”
The projects created and lessons learned over the course of the program will prove important to these students in their classes this year and will hopefully inspire a lifelong interest in engineering and science.
State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) was also invited to attend the program and due to his continued rehabilitation from a recent medical issue, was unable to attend. A staff member attended in his absence.
About the STEM Education Coalition
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Coalition works to support STEM programs for teachers and students at the U. S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies that offer STEM related programs.
The STEM Education Coalition is composed of advocates from over 1,000 diverse groups representing all sectors of the technological workforce – from knowledge workers, to educators, to scientists, engineers, and technicians. The participating organizations of the STEM Education Coalition are dedicated to ensuring quality STEM education at all levels. The Coalition is co-chaired by the American Chemical Society and the National Science Teachers Association. Meetings are held monthly at the American Chemical Society, 1155 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC.
To learn more about the Coalition’s activities, please visit www.stemedcoalition.org.
About Saint Michael School
Saint Michael School, located in Hudson, Massachusetts, and founded in 1918, is a progressive Elementary and Middle School (grades pre-school to eight) focused on strong academics with a value-centered curriculum, character development, and commitment and service to the community. Open to children and families of all faiths and backgrounds, Saint Michael School serves children from Hudson, Marlborough, Stow and surrounding Metro West towns. For more information, please visit www.stmichaelschoolhudson.org or contact the school for a visit, 978-562-2917.
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