Knightly News

Episcopal’s upcoming STEAM Knight on Thursday, November 13th will celebrate community through exploration and discovery. Families are encouraged to join us for exciting experiences that are sure to inspire an interest in STEAM.

STEM and STEAM Explored

According to the US Department of Labor and Statistics, more than 10 million people work in a STEM occupation, and these occupations are projected to grow twice as fast as others. Additionally, STEM-related careers traditionally have higher wages than non-STEM careers.

STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math, has been an intentional focus since the early 2000s. Episcopal Science Department Chair Sarah Pulliam says the STEM focus was originally designed to make the country more competitive. “We want to figure out how to train our students for lives in the 21st century,” she says. “This was the new space race because computers became more of a relevant tool in our society.” That race took off, and educators across the nation focused on meaningful STEM learning experiences. However, Pulliam says teachers soon realized a key component was missing.

“The arts component is important to me as a science teacher,” she points out. “A large part of being good at research is being creative.” The STEM movement evolved, and many now know it as STEAM or science, technology, engineering, art and math. Pulliam points out that science and art have a symbiotic relationship. “We can’t ignore the soft skills,” she says. “STEAM is honoring that they have more in common than we ever gave them credit for.”

Lower School art teacher Catherine Russell says art encourages observation, problem solving, experimentation and critical thinking. “Art gives the tools to show ideas in fun and creative ways,” she says. “It’s my belief that art brings design thinking to STEM, helping to make innovation functional while also aesthetically pleasing.”

Project-Based Learning Brings It All Together

Episcopal’s use of project-based learning is a great example of STEAM learning in action. Project-based learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects. Students demonstrate all they’ve learned by creating a public product or presentation, oftentimes with an artistic or creative component. Ultimately, this type of learning allows students to develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication skills.

QUEST Center Coordinator Stacy Hill feels fortunate to see the creative work of students in a wide range of grades. “I’m always in awe of the creativity, problem solving, artistic talent, innovative thinking and more when students are given just a tiny bit of space to incorporate their own touches to their work,” she says. “Watching our students, even the youngest ones, tackle a STEAM challenge is always impressive. STEAM activities allow them the space and creative freedom to collaborate, problem solve and create solutions that they dream up as they work with classmates.”

Don’t Miss STEAM Knight!

With such depth of knowledge and experience in engaging and inspiring students, Episcopal educators are excited to bring STEAM experiences to the Lower and Middle School community. Families are encouraged to join us for STEAM Knight. This special event will celebrate everything STEAM with exciting demonstrations presented by Episcopal science, technology, engineering, math and art teachers. Upper School students will also be on hand to assist young scientists. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to build community!

Episcopal STEAM Knight
Thursday, November 13th
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Families will meet in the Visual & Performing Arts Center and disperse for demonstrations in the Reilly Academic Commons, the Lower School Greer Center and the QUEST Center in Foster Hall.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.