MONROE - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers explained the importance of including art in science and technology education during his visit to Juda High School on Friday.
"I am so proud of the work that is being done here," Evers said. "Clearly the STEAM teachers have gone above and beyond all around. Today is your opportunity to celebrate all that hard work, that teamwork you did, and show STEAM actually means something at Juda."
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math are the subjects which guide student learning. Originally known as STEM, some proponents of the program have called for an inclusion of art and design.
In its first of what it hopes to be annual "STEAM for Everyone" event, the Juda district incorporated the new approach into its annual Robot Rumble.
In his first visit since 1985, Evers toured the school: He witnessed middle school students working with HTML coding for websites, toured the halls and discussed courses with educators. He also stood by competitive high school students as they battled it out with their inventions in the school gymnasium.
Library Media Center Coordinator Mary Larson addressed the students from grades 4K-12 by talking about the process of creating robots for the competition and how it served as learning experience in a number of ways.
"It's gaining the experience of pushing through, persevering and working through a problem," Larson said. "As frustrating as it was, it was just another life lesson that most things in our world do not come with directions. You need to depend on your own problem-solving skills."
Larson wrote the grant applications that made the STEAM program possible. In the last two years, the school received $10,000 annually from the Monsanto Fund. The Monsanto Company cited the fund as a way to provide better education to schools in agricultural-based communities. Before the contest, art teacher Theresa Wyss unveiled a new logo for the STEAM program - a panther paw with five claws, each including one of the letters designed with the subject specifically in mind.
Juda Superintendent Traci Davis introduced Evers, citing his experience as state superintendent since 2009 in addition to decades as an educator. He was re-elected in April 2013 and is facing a primary election against two rival candidates on Tuesday. In his position, Evers oversees 424 school districts, about 2,000 individual schools.
"I truly appreciate all of the work Dr. Evers does on our behalf," Davis said.
Evers advised students in his closing remarks, telling the crowd to appreciate the "good connection" in a small school system such as Juda and the benefits of "nurturing adults" who know their students well.
"It's a really important thing when you're growing up," Evers said. "Enjoy your time in Juda, and for sure, enjoy today."
Ever also briefly called on students to make good decisions regarding their future, and though it seems early, to consider future career options.
"I am so proud of the work that is being done here," Evers said. "Clearly the STEAM teachers have gone above and beyond all around. Today is your opportunity to celebrate all that hard work, that teamwork you did, and show STEAM actually means something at Juda."
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math are the subjects which guide student learning. Originally known as STEM, some proponents of the program have called for an inclusion of art and design.
In its first of what it hopes to be annual "STEAM for Everyone" event, the Juda district incorporated the new approach into its annual Robot Rumble.
In his first visit since 1985, Evers toured the school: He witnessed middle school students working with HTML coding for websites, toured the halls and discussed courses with educators. He also stood by competitive high school students as they battled it out with their inventions in the school gymnasium.
Library Media Center Coordinator Mary Larson addressed the students from grades 4K-12 by talking about the process of creating robots for the competition and how it served as learning experience in a number of ways.
"It's gaining the experience of pushing through, persevering and working through a problem," Larson said. "As frustrating as it was, it was just another life lesson that most things in our world do not come with directions. You need to depend on your own problem-solving skills."
Larson wrote the grant applications that made the STEAM program possible. In the last two years, the school received $10,000 annually from the Monsanto Fund. The Monsanto Company cited the fund as a way to provide better education to schools in agricultural-based communities. Before the contest, art teacher Theresa Wyss unveiled a new logo for the STEAM program - a panther paw with five claws, each including one of the letters designed with the subject specifically in mind.
Juda Superintendent Traci Davis introduced Evers, citing his experience as state superintendent since 2009 in addition to decades as an educator. He was re-elected in April 2013 and is facing a primary election against two rival candidates on Tuesday. In his position, Evers oversees 424 school districts, about 2,000 individual schools.
"I truly appreciate all of the work Dr. Evers does on our behalf," Davis said.
Evers advised students in his closing remarks, telling the crowd to appreciate the "good connection" in a small school system such as Juda and the benefits of "nurturing adults" who know their students well.
"It's a really important thing when you're growing up," Evers said. "Enjoy your time in Juda, and for sure, enjoy today."
Ever also briefly called on students to make good decisions regarding their future, and though it seems early, to consider future career options.