STUDENTS at St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) are being introduced to new and exciting areas of study under a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programme being pushed at the institution.

The initiative is in keeping with the Ministry of Education’s focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), but has integrated subjects in the arts for active learning and engagement of students. The aim is to revolutionise the way enthusiastic and promising students learn, the school has said.

From as early as grade seven, students are introduced to concepts in logistics, animation, and related areas.

Computer animation has been introduced to grade nine students, with plans to open it to the entire school shortly. It is being facilitated by a teacher trained and certified in the field of animation.

Students are gaining in-demand skills for the job market, through partnership with Kingston Wharves (KW) Limited. KW also provides the AutoCAD software the students use to prepare for technical drawing examinations. AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) programme used for two and three-dimensional design drafting. It can be used to create blueprints for buildings, bridges and computer chips. It is used primarily by drafters, although engineers, surveyors and architects use it from time to time.

STATHS Vice-Principal Yvonne Mamher-Tafari, who heads the STEAM committee, believes that the unique curriculum offered under the programme is changing the way students learn.

She says the programme is encouraging innovation and creative thinking on the part of students. “We’re not just sending out students based on rote learning. They can better think for themselves. The students really want to do it,” she says.

Mamher-Tafari points out that teachers are also benefitting as they are being more innovative in their lessons.

“What we find now is that it is helping even the teachers of English language to look at things differently. We are now saying to them to learn a skill because they can better relate to the students,” she says.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of KW Limited, Grantley Stephenson, says the linkage with STATHS is part of the company’s focus on recruiting work-ready employees.

“The focus really is on ensuring that when the kids leave school, they have an idea of what they want to do. They have time to really focus on building up their skill level,” he says.

At least 40 STATHS students were exposed to skills training in crane mechanics and diagnostics at KW over the summer. Stephenson says he is seeking to extend the programme beyond the summer period in order to expose more students to the demands of the industry.

“You want the brightest people now to become a mechanic. People have to be able to run diagnostics. I am exposing that to them now because the training at school doesn’t take them to that level…we are now in a skill-based environment,” he points out.

“A first degree only makes you trainable…Industry wants people who can think, people who are creative, people who can develop strategy,” he adds.