Greater Lawrence Technical School
Superintendent John Lavoie
57 River Rd, Andover,
MA 01810
Superintendent John Lavoie
57 River Rd, Andover,
MA 01810
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Greater Lawrence Tech Breaks Ground on New STEAM Innovation Labs
Teachers Work with MIT to Seamlessly Combine Academic and Vocational Learning
| ANDOVER — Superintendent John Lavoie is pleased to announce that Greater Lawrence Technical School broke ground on its new Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM) Innovation Labs that, once complete, will seamlessly blend academic and vocational learning. |
| The STEAM Innovation Program brings academic and vocational teachers together to create Massachusetts Frameworks-aligned curricula that will guide students from freshman through senior year. |
| Those in the program will develop the technical thinking abilities of a scientist or engineer with that of an artist or designer within the frame of humanities — gaining abilities through all aspects of a biotechnology wet lab, engineering design lab, computer sciences (via robotics and sound engineering) and music. This will give students a better understanding about what STEAM career they’ll want to pursue after graduation and into college and the workforce. |
| The traditional model of vocational education separates academic and technical classes, but with the STEAM Innovation Program, academic and shop teachers will be working hand-in-hand. This allows vocational instructors to expand their knowledge on the theory behind the practice, and how academics are applied to hands on learning will be improved. |
| “The idea of having academic and vocational instructors working together to teach and prepare students for STEAM careers exactly aligns with our educational philosophy here at GLTS,” Superintendent Lavoie said. “We believe this type of project-based learning is something students will find interesting. The curricula allows for more problem solving and reasoning, which leads students to attain the type of skills colleges and industries are looking for today.” |
| The new STEAM Labs, which are set to be complete in January, will feature state-of-the-art equipment, including a new sound recording studio, Mac lab, biotechnology and biology lab, medical assistance lab, an updated engineering lab and expansion of the school’s 3D printing capabilities. In the 2018-2019 school year, GLTS will create a mechatronics and robotics lab, a new horticulture lab and updated equipment in the machine technology shop. |
| As part of the STEAM Program, GLTS formed an educational partnership with the MIT Edgerton Center — which gives students a place to learn by doing — first to help develop curricula and later work with students as part of their studies. As GLTS students progress through the courses, they will have the opportunity to go to the MIT campus and work in the labs, and MIT students will be invited to GLTS to further their research. |
| GLTS began the endeavor about a year-and-a-half ago after STEAM Studio — a nonprofit that works to provide unique and innovative STEAM learning opportunities to students interested in entering the field — approached the school to create a collaborative relationship. Working off the STEAM Studio’s method of learning, GLTS created a program that will provide students with a wide range of skills upon graduation. |
| In August, the STEAM Program teaching team spent three weeks focusing on team-building, curriculum activities and training workshops to build the courses at GLTS. The STEAM team has finalized guiding principles for the program and are continuing to develop curricula for grades 10-12. |
| To find out more about the STEAM Innovation Program, prospective students are encouraged to attend GLTS’ Open House on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 12-2 p.m. |
| This press release is the first in a series of articles from GLTS on the new STEAM Innovation Program. |
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