PERU - On Oct. 4, St. Bede Academy hosted a visiting group of principals and other dignitaries from a number of Chinese high schools. St. Bede was one of the stops for the group, which visited innovative highs schools in many cities across the United States.

A frequent host to teachers and principals from numerous Chinese provinces, St. Bede again provided a program that included observations of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities in the recently opened Perino Science Center as well as a tour of the original academy building and school grounds.

After a welcome by Superintendent Ted Struck and Abbot Philip Davey, the group was able to see chemistry and physics lessons provided by Dan Fitzpatrick and Tom Jagiella. Dr. Anila Gil, the school’s new AP chemistry instructor and STEM director, demonstrated new non-traditional teaching methods being employed by the Academy staff to maximize student learning using project-based approaches to ensure long term retention of concepts.

After a working lunch during which the Chinese visitors discussed the various ideas presented during the demonstrations, they heard from Daniel Marenda, St. Bede’s curriculum and teacher support director. Marenda’s presentation on the STEM/STEAM philosophy that is driving St. Bede’s enhancement of curriculum included examples of St. Bede student projects to highlight the progress the school’s staff is making on this initiative. Guidance counselor Theresa Bernabei explained that the support her office provides for both American and international students helps maximize students’ school experience and prepares them to move to the next level of their educational careers.

Marenda and Gill also met with representatives from the Guangzhou Foreign Language School with whom they are developing STEM/STEAM curriculum to be used in Chinese classrooms. Two units have already been developed and are being taught in China by the Chinese teachers. Marenda and Gill will provide teacher support for the Chinese teachers as this ongoing curriculum collaboration continues and develops.

This visit was also a part of a cooperative project with the Chinese Meliora Education Group, Northern Illinois University and St. Bede Academy to provide teacher training in the area of STEM/STEAM education for teachers from China. The new St. Bede STEM/STEAM program and cooperation with NIU in this endeavor is attracting much interest. With an international presence through the boarding school and with St. Bede staff traveling to China to promote STEM/STEAM learning, the reputation of the Academy as a diverse learning environment with a strong tradition of excellence continues to grow.