Buffalo Museum of Science Staff member Karen Murphy transfers finger paint from the table onto paper as teachers from STREAM Schools take part in a professional development program at the Buffalo Museum of Science. (Patrick McPartland/Staff Photographer)

To continue the forward motion of this exciting diocesan initiative, more than 160 teachers from the 10 pilot STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and math) schools in the Diocese of Buffalo took part in a professional development program Friday afternoon.  This was held at, and in partnership with, the Buffalo Museum of Science.
 
There were 17 sessions on various topics including project based learning, 21st Century math, interdisciplinary unit planning, infusing "the arts" into ELA, and fab apps for primary classrooms.
 
The afternoon's keynote address focused on "Why Engineering?"  Highlights included the educational benefits and framework for using the engineering design process throughout curriculum.  This is in preparation for the June rollout of "GEAR UP," the launch of engineering, in the 10 pilot schools.  "GEAR UP" is modeled after programs used in Virginia.
 
Last month, STREAM educators attended the nationally renowned Children's Engineering Conference held in Williamsburg, Va.