A STEM/STEAM-Focused School

Four grade 10 students sit around a table discussing their magnetic machine and upcoming presentation

TCIS approaches education striving to cultivate adaptable learners with the skills to be future-ready according to a broad scope of professions and cultures. We believe that a comprehensive STEAM approach serves all learners well at a foundational level, and advanced STEM+Arts studies serve the goals of many of our students in their future careers.

STEM, STEAM, and the TCIS Approach

The the term STEM is not a new one and it is an educational idea that is generally understood around the world. STEM is an approach to education that places emphasis on areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This approach creates a body of learners prepared to pursue areas of higher level sciences and engineering careers.

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. It approaches the study of analytical sciences and engineering disciplines with a further emphasis on the Arts as a means of better teaching sciences to all types of learners and as a means of giving science-minded students essential skills not inherent in the study of pure science. Visual arts, media arts, performing arts, and communications are all integral parts of the TCIS STEAM program, and project-based learning stress processes for design and generative creativity.

While preparation in STEM areas create learners with the knowledge and experiences to excel in STEM studies in university, the additional experiences associated with an integrated arts approach (STEAM education) also prepare students to develop essential soft skills for success. In addition to analytical sciences, students gain experience with presentation, communication, and holistic creativity, which better prepares them for innovation, management, design, and the leadership of diverse peoples.

Our aim through STEAM is not that students would just DO, but that they will INNOVATE and LEAD in areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Elementary boy takes a photo to document his observations during a science experiment at TCIS

Two middle school boys in lab coats observe the temperatures of liquids in a beaker on a hot plate in the MS Science Lab

Two high school boys present their magnetic machine project to younger students

An Emphasis on Design Cycle

For all students throughout the school, there is a strong focus on the Design Cycle as a universal process. Students of all ages learn strategies and practice how to:

define problems well,
research information,
analyze ideas and approaches,
develop and implement solutions,
gather and reflect on feedback,
and make adjustments to improve the design

The Design Process becomes becomes ingrained in children over the course of years, and they become adaptable and more competent learners in all areas.

TCIS elementary students speak about their project at the PYP Exhibition

Grades K-5 STEAM Learning

STEAM learning in our elementary school fits naturally with the normal inquiry and discovery tendencies among children this age. As students learn to question and experience new things, they begin to learn and practice methods for the Scientific Method, the Creative Design Cycle, and basic Analytical Thinking. STEM units are integrated into homeroom learning, and the arts are intentionally combined to help deliver STEM learning in fun and creative ways.

In addition, students are given opportunities, in class and through after-school activities, to engage in introductory experiences with block coding, robotics, and logic-building puzzles.

TCIS Grade 7 class gathered around a track for testing CO2 cars designed and built with 3d printing.

Grades 6-10 STEM+Arts Learning

STEAM learning in middle school continues with an integrated experience of STEM and Arts in all subject areas.

All students gain a holistic understanding of skills that will be useful for professionals in the future, across a wide range of careers and industries.

Starting from Grade 6, students begin to focus on STEM disciplines as individual units and classes for learning. Students learn software, tools, and industry best practices for computer science, robotics, materials and fabrication, graphic and 3d design, media and performing arts, as well as digital and traditional visual arts.

Grades 11-12 STEM/Arts Learning

By Grade 11, students have a comprehensive understanding of multiple disciplines in biological and physical sciences, computer science, robotics, graphic and 3d design, fabrication, digital and media arts, and traditional visual and performing arts. As students enter the DP program, they go still deeper in their learning. Students make course decisions for specializing in their studies.

Students wanting to specialize in STEM disciplines may take a Double Analytical Sciences route or they can choose DP Design and begin work on a capstone project. Art students may enter the DP Art program and pursue focused study and work toward the creation of a high-quality art portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a new program at TCIS?

Q. Is This a New Program at TCIS?
A. Somewhat – TCIS has always been very strong in preparing students in areas of Science and Arts, and a large number of TCIS students have traditionally pursued university and careers in STEM industries and as artistic creatives. TCIS has recently adopted a formalized STEAM approach in K-12 as a means of building stronger STEM and creative learners who are future-ready – to formally interconnect, develop, and expand curriculum and student opportunities in Science, Design, Computer Sciences, Robotics, Fabrication, and Digital and Media Arts.

What if my child isn't really a "Science Student?"

Q. What if my child isn't really a "Science Student?"
A. That is no problem. One main goal of the STEAM/STEM program is to make all children future-ready. TCIS still delivers a holistic education that teaches all subject areas excellently, and the arts integration into STEM subjects makes them more accessible to all students.

The formalized STEAM approach helps all students to better learn essential science and technology subjects in an effective and engaging way. As students progress, they go deeper into STEM+Arts subjects – continuing to build on technical knowledge in engaging, creative, project-based learning.

The farther a student goes in their education at TCIS, the more choice they have in selecting directions that best suit their university/career goals.

So, why STEAM – why not STEM?

Q. So, why STEAM – why not STEM?
A. There are two primary reasons we take a STEAM or STEM+Arts approach:

The inclusion of arts into STEM learning makes STEM subjects more understandable by a greater range of students. Where some students get lost in the technicalities, they are better able to comprehend when given opportunity for creativity and visualization.
We feel that the inclusion of arts best prepares STEM professionals with skills to lead and innovate. Consider the following scenario:
Two equally-credentialed engineers are in line to acquire a management position. They are both knowledgeable about their fields. One of them also has experience in presentation and communications; oratory and debate from time in drama and forensics. One of the candidates has been studying design cycle, working on group creative arts projects, actively engaging in a program of presentation media, and has been given opportunities for leadership roles since they were in elementary school. We feel that this candidate would be best equipped for leadership positions and for creative innovation.