STEAM

The Gardens School strives to inspire students to Wonder, Innovate, Nurture, Grow and Succeed (WINGS).

STEAM is a unique approach to the New Zealand inquiry-based Curriculum by integrating science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics into our Curriculum.  STEAM gives the opportunity for students to be creative, critical thinkers and flexible problem solvers, to explore different ideas, to recognise setbacks in learning as opportunities for discovery and to effectively communicate and work with others.

Our vision is a STEAM-rich environment for all members of our school community with the seamless integration of STEAM within our educational program.

The Gardens School aims to provide a range of challenging learning opportunities within the classroom and beyond and to enable the learner to develop his/her own individual potential. We believe in educating the whole child – intellectual, cultural, social, emotional and physical – in exciting and creative ways. 

We encourage our students to earn their WINGS to prepare themselves for life. We want them to Wonder, Innovate, Nurture, Grow and Succeed.  Through inquiry and with the proper use of technology, new worlds open up for our students.  We want to prepare them to enter daily life armed with collaborative skills and innovative thinking.

• STEAM is an integrated approach to learning which requires an intentional connection between standards, assessments and lesson design/implementation

• True STEAM experiences involve two or more standards from Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and the Arts to be taught AND assessed in and through each other

• Inquiry, collaboration, and an emphasis on process-based learning are at the heart of the STEAM approach

• Utilising and leveraging the integrity of the arts themselves is essential to an authentic STEAM initiative

WINGS - The Why

LAUNCH - The How

STEAM - The What

STEAM also provides opportunities for further professional development and research for staff through partnerships with Tertiary and research institutions, Community of Learning (CoL) partnerships, Apple Teacher and Using Technology Better (UTB) Professional Development providers.