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Rocky Point Academy

What is STEM, and does it support neurodiverse learners?



STREAM, an enhanced version of STEM, stands for science, technology, robotics, engineering, art, and math, embodying a holistic educational approach. Unlike traditional math classes that focus on memorization and binary right-or-wrong responses, STREAM emphasizes creating solutions to real-world problems, allowing students to apply their learning in practical and significant ways.


Students who learn and think differently bring unique strengths to the classroom. Their creativity, problem-solving skills, and determination allow them to thrive in STREAM fields. These students often have distinct interests that STREAM can help them explore. Participation in informal activities like robotics clubs, science museum visits, or afterschool programs can cultivate these interests and spark excitement for STREAM.


In STREAM, students engage in experiments, confront challenging problems, and develop solutions. Many students who learn and think differently have strengths well suited for these activities, such as big-picture and interconnected thinking, lateral thinking, creative problem-solving, remarkable spatial reasoning, sharp observational skills, empathy, communication and storytelling, and pattern recognition. STREAM can help these students acknowledge their skills as valuable assets.



How do Rocky Point Academy Programs implement STREAM core learning skills?


  1. Multisensory Instruction We use multisensory instruction, a teaching method that involves multiple senses simultaneously. This approach is beneficial for all clients, including those who learn and think differently. By incorporating hands-on activities, creativity, and movement, we ensure clients are actively engaged, mastering the material and making it relevant to their lives.

  2. Choice and Control We offer students choices and control over their learning, allowing them to engage in ways that best fit their learning styles. By identifying their interests and goals, we customize new learning to align with these areas, benefiting all students, especially those who learn and think differently.

  3. Engineering Mindset We encourage clients to approach challenges with an engineering mindset—by asking questions, conducting research, creating solutions, and testing them. If things don’t work out, we revisit the questions and try again. This iterative process promotes critical thinking and collaboration, helping students recognize that failure can be an integral part of achieving success.


So, although Rocky Point does not directly address the areas of science, technology, robotics, engineering, art and math, it provides the underlying tools, learning skills and the mindset to help them thrive in these areas. It enables them to overcome the learning challenges and to demonstrate their learning abilities and/or gifts.

 

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