Public Presentations
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference
July 21, 2022
CAPE and SD 163 STEAM teachers presented their four-year partnership at educational conferences. The NIH Grant for the STEAM Ahead partnership included building the capacity of STEAM teachers as effective PD leaders, supporting the viability of the project beyond the life of the grant.
Each presentation included an overview of the professional learning and collaborative teaching model that formed the basis for developing an innovative STEAM curriculum for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Conference participants experienced how science and arts practices work together to create engaging and meaningful investigations that combine science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematical content.
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference
“CAPE Educational Consultant Patty Whitehouse shared the goals for the STEAM Ahead Grant.”
![]()
“CAPE Educational Consultants Jenna Senai and Jerry Stefl shared a card sort with NSTA participants. They concluded that arts and science practices are quite similar!”
“Conference participants build a tower with specific STEAM constraints and criteria.”
STEAM Ahead Public Presentations
Public Presentations
Illinois Association of Title 1 Directors (IATD) Conference September 19, 2022
CAPE and SD 163 STEAM teachers presented their four-year partnership at educational conferences. The NIH Grant for the STEAM Ahead partnership included building the capacity of STEAM teachers as effective PD leaders, supporting the viability of the project beyond the life of the grant.
Each presentation included an overview of the professional learning and collaborative teaching model that formed the basis for developing an innovative STEAM curriculum for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Conference participants experienced how science and arts practices work together to create engaging and meaningful investigations that combine science, technology, engineering, art and mathematical content.
Illinois Association of Title 1 Directors (IATD) Conference
Images of STEAM Ahead students and their work were integral to the presentations.
STEAM Ahead Public Presentations
Public Presentations
STEAM Ahead Student Exhibition
Salon Artists Gallery
294 Main St., Park Forest, IL 60466
Exhibition Dates: May 9th – May 30th, 2022
This exhibition highlights drawings, sculptures, installations, and animations created by over 800 students who combined artistic research and STEM practices to examine how they experience, perceive and understand the natural world and built environments around them.
Included in the exhibit is work from:
- 21st Century Elementary School
- Blackhawk Elementary School
- Mohawk Elementary School
- Barack Obama School of Leadership and STEM
Initial Site-Visit
![]()
![]()
![]()
CAPE Associate Director of Education Mark Diaz and Program Director Brandon Phouybanhdyt meet with Salon Artists Gallery staff and measures the space for the upcoming District 163 Exhibition
Installation
Exhibition
STEAM Ahead Public Presentations
Public Presentations
Illinois Arts Education Association (IAEA) Conference
November 12, 2022
CAPE and SD 163 STEAM teachers presented their four-year partnership at educational conferences. The NIH Grant for the STEAM Ahead partnership included building the capacity of STEAM teachers as effective PD leaders, supporting the viability of the project beyond the life of the grant.
Each presentation included an overview of the professional learning and collaborative teaching model that formed the basis for developing an innovative STEAM curriculum for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Conference participants experienced how science and arts practices work together to create engaging and meaningful investigations that combine science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematical content.
Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) Annual Fall Conference
“STEAM Teacher Andrea Mele and CAPE Teaching Artist David Sprecher guide IAEA participants in creating Symmetry Cities.”
“IAEA participants create reflection symmetry. Andrea and David worked together to develop this activity in Andrea’s STEAM classroom.”
“IAEA participants create reflection symmetry. Andrea and David worked together to develop this activity in Andrea’s STEAM classroom.”
“IAEA participants use a grid to create pixelated art.”