STEM Education in Loudoun Gets Boost From Wolf Trap, Telos

Head Start and Kindergarten Students in Loudoun County will now benefit from a new learning partnership between Telos Corporation and Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. 

They have partnered to implement 63 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Classroom Residency Sessions in Loudoun County starting this month. 

According to a joint statement from Telos and Wolf Trap, STEM education is considered a critical step in implementing future workforce development and this program will help teachers learn strategies for STEM learning.

The idea is that these programs are designed to tap into children’s innate desire for active, multisensory learning and engage their imagination through puppetry, story dramatization, and role play. 

Teaching artists from Wolf Trap's program, will be brought into the classrooms to communicate a specific art form through music, drama or dance. 

"The arts will be used to teach young children STEM concepts," said Graham Binder, a Wolf Trap Foundation spokesperson. "The goal is for teachers to learn effective strategies for integrating the arts into their instruction to enhance learning, and to then continue to incorporate these Wolf Trap strategies in their classroom in the future."

"I am a firm believer that there is an intrinsic link between the arts and the math and science disciplines,” said John Wood, Chairman and CEO of Telos Corporation and Wolf Trap Foundation Board Member. “Not only does the incorporation of art into a good science and math curriculum help build the foundation for creative innovation down the road, but arts can also make the ‘boring’ disciplines more fun.” 

The residency locations are Woodgrove High School in Purcellville, Tuscarora High School in Leesburg, Sterling Elementary in Sterling, Dominion High School in Sterling, Heritage High School in Leesburg, and Liberty Elementary School in South Riding.

“We are grateful to Telos for their continued support of our STEM efforts in Loudoun County, helping young learners develop crucial skills they need to fully round out their intellectual development,” said Arvind Manocha, president and CEO of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. “John and his team are to be commended for their strong focus on workforce development, and Wolf Trap is proud to serve as their partner in helping to prepare America’s next generation of mathematicians and scientists.”

Looking ahead to the future, Wolf Trap is hoping to expand their program on a national level within the next year, Binder said.