LANK: Full STEAM Ahead

Release:

Lake Anne Nursery Kindergarten (LANK) will begin incorporating the STEAM educational philosophy in it’s upcoming summer camp and starting next fall in it’s preschool and kindergarten programs. STEAM is a curriculum with a specific focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics who’s goal is to encourage the development of skills that will help prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century work force.

To kick off the curriculum’s incorporation into the preschool program, LANK has developed a theme for it’s summer enrichment program called “A Tale to Build On.” The session will begin each day with a story, a very familiar one in most cases, such as “The Three Little Pigs.” From there the LANK team of educators has designed various activities incorporating one or more of the STEAM concepts to problem-solve, build, create and/or design. To illustrate the concept, in the case of the little pigs, while working in small groups, the children will build houses using various materials and then predict which of them will be the most sturdy. Sticks, straw, marshmallows will all be tested and results evaluated and recorded. The children will also create structures with various types of blocks to investigate what else is at play that affects the outcome when working on building projects.

Starting in September the STEAM initiative will be formally introduced into the preschool and kindergarten programs. The school year’s theme will be entitled “Full STEAM Ahead.”

The incorporation of the STEAM initiative is a natural fit for LANK, Reston’s first preschool and a pioneer in early childhood education for the last 50 years. LANK strives to make learning enjoyable for children by incorporating a “learning through play” philosophy that provides for constructive, directed play corresponding with educational instruction. Our children are encouraged to interact, ask questions and explore, thereby stimulating their natural curiosity and desire to learn.

Openings are available in the preschool and kindergarten programs beginning this fall. Visit lankschool.com for more information.