Providence Christian Academy to Offer STEM Program

Providence Christian Academy is adding STEM education to its classrooms in an effort to better prepare students for the future. 

The school is partnering with Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a national nonprofit that provides hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum for middle and high school students.

Providence Christian Academy is the first private school in the area to offer the nonprofit's curriculum, according to a press release from the school.

“The more we learned about PLTW, the more we thought about how our
alumni would have really benefited from this,” said Headmaster Jim
Vaught. “We owe it to our kids to offer a nationally recognized STEM
program.”

It is currently being integrated in the elementary and middle school curriculum and after-school programs. In the fall, the STEM program will be offered as a class for high school, officials said.

Programming robots are analyzing DNA samples are just two of the projects likely to be part of the school's new STEM initiative. With the growing interest in and need for STEM education, Providence Christian Academy's new venture is timely.

Vince Bertram, PLTW president and chief executive officer, belives programs such as these are sorely needed.

"If we are to succeed as a nation, our students must be prepared for
post-secondary success in the global economy," Betram said in a recent testimony before Congress. "We must work swiftly to address this crisis by building a pipeline of well-educated STEM professionals."

The school credits a parent, Randy Cailor, with bringing the new program's vision to Providence Christian Academy a year ago. School administrators subsequently named him as director of the STEM program. 

Some 25 percent to 33 percent of graduates from Providence Christian Academy pursue majors in STEM fields, he said. Still, Cailor added, that such classes help all students to succeed, no matter what career path chosen.

School administrators are encouraged by the program.

"The more we learned about PLTW, the more we thought about how our alumni would have really benefited from this,” said Headmaster Jim Vaught. "We owe it to our kids to offer a nationally-recognized STEM program."

Have school news or story idea you want to share, contact Local Editor Joy L. Woodson at Joy.Woodson@patch.com or 404-539-9256.