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Newark Unified is a STEAM District!

The following resolution was approved at the May 5th Board Meeting

Newark Unified School District
STEAM EDUCATION POLICY RESOLUTION NO. # 2104

WHEREAS, STEAM Education is both the mastery and integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics to embed STEAM concepts, methodologies and skills into the habits of mind and actions of daily life for all PK-12 students; and

WHEREAS, STEAM is more than just the subjects in its name. STEAM Education incorporates scientific inquiry and technological or engineering design through student-focused, Project-Based Learning curricula to develop skills of communication, teamwork/ collaboration, creativity/innovation, critical thinking, and problem solving; and

WHEREAS, STEAM, the Common Core standards, and specifically the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) go hand-in-hand. The NGSS integrate engagement in scientific and engineering practices, technology, mathematics, as well as human impact on the environment. The Common Core standards combined with authentic Standards Based Instruction are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. This work needs to be connected to collaborative partnerships within the City of Newark, partnerships with Ohlone College, University of California, Berkeley and other colleges, universities as well aswith business and the technology industry; and

WHEREAS, when students brainstorm solutions for an engineering problem, they generate creative and innovative thinking to solve problems. STEAM Programs naturally involve art as students apply design to products, graphics and stylized designs for presentations, and improve the appearance, design and usability of products; and

WHEREAS, Science is a systematic method of continual investigations, based on observation, hypothesis testing, measurement, experimentation and theory building, which lead to more accurate explanations of natural phenomena, explanations that are open to further testing and revision and are accepted or rejected based on empirical evidence; and

WHEREAS, Technology modifies the natural world through innovative processes, systems, structures and devices to extend human abilities; and

WHEREAS, Engineering is design under constraint that develops and applies technology to satisfy human needs and wants; and

WHEREAS, Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, which can include the form of music, performing arts, painting, sculpture or other visual forms; and

WHEREAS, Mathematics is the concise language of nature that scaffolds, symbolizes, describes and defines the limits and relationships of science, technology and engineering; and

WHEREAS, Technology and engineering, coupled with knowledge and methods derived from science and mathematics, create social and environmental value and economic wealth to improve the quality of life; and

WHEREAS, district resources, efforts, strategic planning, facility master plan and energy master plan will be aligned to furthering our efforts toward becoming an exemplary STEAM district; and

WHEREAS, the superintendent will create a STEAM Advisory Council that will be comprised of educational partners, at least one board member, business and industry leaders as well as teacher leaders for the express purpose of guiding the relevance of implementation to be on par with industry needs and standards for the creation of high quality learning opportunities for all NUSD students; and

WHEREAS, the integration of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics into STEAM curricula and activities should produce novel results and solutions to vexing questions in healthcare and disease prevention, energy, the environment, agriculture, sustainability, aerospace and manufacturing.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT: The Newark Unified School District wants all its schools to be STEAM schools, providing authentic learning experiences that integrate science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics and to contribute to a fuller understanding and enrichment of the world as responsible, respectful and productive citizens.

Smarter Balance scores Alameda County (2014 - 2017)