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s St. Luke's continues to support its mission to prepare students for college and life, it is important to provide continuing education to parents, students, and the community on the ways that the school is accomplishing its goals. Each quarter, we will release an informative article on this progress. Issue 2 discusses the importance of STEM+M education at St. Luke's

What is the importance of STEM+M in education?

St. Luke’s Episcopal School takes seriously the responsibility to prepare our students for success in a workforce that, according to recent publications (the World Economic Forum'sFuture of Jobs and Dell Technologies Institute for the Future) it is estimated that 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 have not been invented yet.

At St. Luke’s Episcopal School, our vision is clear: To change the way students experience the world through STEM+M. In a region increasingly driven by healthcare and engineering, we are proud to be the first school in our area to fully integrate STEM+M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medical) into every aspect of our K2-12th curriculum, activities, sports, and student life.

This comprehensive approach ensures that our students are prepared for college and equipped with the skills and mindset to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Embedding STEM+M into their daily experiences fosters critical thinking, creativity, and a deep understanding of the fields shaping their future.

Together, we are shaping leaders who will navigate and innovate in a world where science and technology are the keys to opportunity and success.

How will our STEM+M focus benefit our students?

St. Luke’s Episcopal School offers distinctive programs that set our STEM+M education apart, notably our Biomedical Sciences Program and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) classes.

The job market outlook for students with a STEM+M foundation is highly promising, with STEM+M fields expected to grow by 10.4% from 2023 to 2033, far outpacing other sectors. Healthcare alone will add 1.6 million jobs, and engineering roles are set to rise by 13%. STEM+M education prepares students for high-demand, well-paying careers in these fields and equips those pursuing humanities or social science degrees with critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability skills. These competencies enhance creativity, critical analysis, and effective communication, equipping STEM+M and liberal arts majors with a competitive edge in a job market increasingly intertwined with technological advancements. At St. Luke’s Episcopal School, our comprehensive STEM+M approach ensures ALL students are ready to thrive in an evolving world.

What distinguishes St. Luke’s from other schools in terms of STEM+M education?

St. Luke’s Episcopal School offers distinctive programs that set us apart from our competitors. In addition to our strong offerings in language arts, community and historical instruction, foreign language, music, and performing arts, our commitment to providing a stellar STEM+M curriculum begins in PK2 and continues through 12th grade.

Our youngest students are introduced to STEM+M concepts in those classrooms through interactive play, stories, games, and table activities. Basic science, engineering, and math skills are presented in shapes, colors, patterns, blocks, stacking, magnetic tiles, and puzzles. Technology is used minimally in the classroom at this age. The medical component includes introducing personal hygiene through handwashing, covering coughs/sneezes, and the importance of good nutrition.

Our elementary and intermediate grades engage in a comprehensive STEM+M curriculum that includes coding, physics, computer programming, aeronautics, computer systems, and the properties of matter. Through hands-on activities and design challenges, such as coding robotic devices, designing games, and creating reaction-time programs, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a strong foundation in STEM+M concepts, preparing them for future academic and real-world success.

Middle school students delve into aerospace engineering, mobile app development, design and modeling, and take on the role of medical detectives. They tackle real-world challenges by designing flight models, creating apps to address societal issues, developing therapeutic toys for children with cerebral palsy, and tracing food-borne illnesses through a mock scenario, all of which foster problem-solving, creativity, and a deeper understanding of STEM+M's impact on the world.

Our high school curriculum offers a vibrant blend of traditional math and science courses, honors and AP options, and cutting-edge STEM+M classes to prepare students for diverse career paths. In addition to advanced subjects like calculus, biology, chemistry, and physics, students can delve into specialized areas such as Innovations in Biomedical Sciences, where they design and build medical devices like laparoscopic simulators, and Introduction to Engineering, where hands-on projects are designed to explore chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. Other distinctive offerings include Culinary Medicine and Sports Medicine classes. Students engage in hands-on projects such as developing mobile apps, creating adaptive and assistive devices, and mastering biomedical skills like CPR, clinical assessments, and medical equipment use. Through Interventions in Biomedical Sciences, students conduct in-depth research and collaborate with mentors, culminating in a capstone presentation to a professional audience.

This comprehensive approach empowers students to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways, whether pursuing careers in healthcare, engineering, or other STEM+M fields. It is also beneficial for any profession that requires organizational skills and problem-solving, teamwork and collaboration, or the use of technology. In other words, this benefits ALL of our students for whatever journey they take after graduation from St. Luke’s Episcopal School.