STEM
Villa embraces technology through the concepts of STEM. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fosters the critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, problem solving, and perseverance needed for a lifetime of growth.
Our teachers get girls interested in STEM using inquiry-based curriculum, particularly suited for the way girls learn. In-depth, hands-on and real-world applications help our girls understand the relevance of STEM topics and how through a career in STEM, they can make the world a better place.
Why Girls in STEM?
Though girls surpass boys in nearly every measure of academic success, there is still a significant gender gap in the number of women pursuing college degrees and careers in STEM fields.
Less than one-quarter of STEM jobs are held by women (though women make up nearly half of the overall workforce). Job growth in STEM is projected to be nearly 3x that of non-STEM.
The STEM Program at Villa
At Villa, we engage and excite our girls in STEM from the earliest ages. We nurture their interest in STEM and keep them engaged through the Middle School years, both in the classroom and outside the classroom, through signature experiences, clubs, mentors, and more.
A study by Girl Scouts of the USA and the Motorola Foundation identified three keys for engaging girls in science and math:
- Make it real. Girls discover by doing, and experiential activities open girls’ eyes to the ways science and math affect their everyday lives.
- Make it relevant. Programs that use real world examples in a project based format more effectively engages girls.
- Make it possible. Relationships with role models and mentors, especially females, make a significant impact on girls’ perceptions of their ability to excel in STEM careers.
Villa girls engage in a challenging integrated curriculum that cultivates scientific and mathematical literacy while encouraging innovation and creative problem solving. We take every opportunity for the girls to be hands-on and to also look for the creative applications of STEM, both within and beyond the classroom. Our focus is on developing inquiring, open-minded learners by providing opportunities to see, opportunities to do, and opportunities to experience – all injected with a healthy dose of imagination and creativity.
Students in grades 6-8 participate in weekly STEM classes with Villa’s STEM teacher that focus on topics such as robotics, 3D print and design and programming.
Students in grades K-5 are enriched with STEM activities that take place both in the classroom and in the Computer lab with the STEM teacher.
At Villa Maria, my daughters became more sure of themselves. They learned not to follow the crowd, but to go their own way if that was best for them, and that they would be supported in that choice. They learned it was okay to be their true self. And most importantly, they learned to lean on their faith in times of need and to celebrate this faith in times of joy.” – A Villa Parent