Bishop Noll is currently taking the first of four steps of moving toward a new method of teaching based on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
“STEM [will] make us unique, giving students in the greater Chicagoland area a chance to [attend] a school that puts their learning first,” Bishop Noll’s principal, Mr. Craig Stafford, said.
Though long being a top choice for students who wish to attend a high school that not only offers a family atmosphere but an outstanding education as well, Stafford says that the new STEM curriculum will close the widening gap between the knowledge and skills of the students and the rigorous demands of college and careers, while again making Noll stand out against other schools in the area.
Becoming a STEM school takes time and the transition is not very smooth. Stafford says that the teachers at Noll will have to attend special workshops to learn how to properly teach the STEM curriculum. However, this transition is necessary because the number of careers in STEM fields are growing very rapidly; students who are learning how science, math, engineering, and technology relate to each other are said to be more interested in exploring those careers. The new STEM curriculum at Noll will move away from the traditional memorization and regurgitation, and take on more investigation and questioning of the interrelated facets of the real world.
To coincide with this curriculum, Bishop Noll will be adding classes at The Hammond Career Center in the future.
“It is in the final stage of approval,” Stafford said. “We will need to sign some paper work, finalize some financial issues, and clear through the red tape holding up the process.”
Students will be able to go for part of the day to the Career Center to explore their career interest and learn more about their skills in that particular field. Some examples of the different programs that are offered are cosmetology, auto technology, emergency medical services(EMT), and criminal justice and law.
“STEM makes us unique [and] allows us to provide all students with an optical education experience,” said Stafford. “ STEM also prepares our students for life outside of 1519 Hoffman Street.”