Innovation and STEAM

Maranatha's K-12 STEAM program facilitates innovative hands-on learning experiences through 3-D Modeling, Computer Programming, and Design. We are creative problem-solvers, inventors, and explorers eager to solve the biggest challenges.

Lower School 

Courses focus on hands-on early computer programming.

Middle School

Courses focus on hands-on learning and making. 

High School

Courses focus on design and modeling with engineering and graphic design software.

See for yourself. Schedule a visit.

Robotics

The STEAM Lab is proud to facilitate and support Maranatha’s competitive FIRST robotics teams. These after-school programs challenge the mind and heart in ways many of our students have never experienced until they become part of these team. We have three in-demand FIRST Lego League (FLL) robotics teams for Grades 5-8 and two FIRST Tech Challenge teams for Grades 8-12. In addition, this year, we are adding a FIRST Lego League Jr. for students in grades 1-3. Over the last five years we have partnered with our competitive robotics program and have experienced unparalleled success.

For questions and inquiries reach out to Evan Handrick at [email protected].

FIRST LEGO League (FLL)

Description: FIRST LEGO League teams apply science, engineering, and math concepts, and their imagination, to develop solutions to real-world challenges. They also design, build, and program LEGO MINDSTORMS-based robots to perform autonomous “missions” on a playing field. Along the way, they develop critical thinking, team-building, and presentation skills. In addition to the robot, teams are also required to prepare a research project and presentation. The season culminates in a day long competition against other teams where they will run their robot through a series of missions and present their research project in front of a panel of judges.

Requirements: Students in grades 5-8, with a teacher’s recommendation. This is a competitive robotics team that must complete a number of activities within the time frame of the season.

Schedule: The season runs from September through January. We typically meet twice after school until 4:30. Register online through our Activities Department - Fall Activities.

 

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)

Description: FIRST Tech Challenge teams design and build robots of their own creation; using aluminum structural elements, gears, dc motors, servo motors, and multiple types of sensors. They program an Android phone application using the Java language to drive and operate their robots.  It all comes together into a finished robot, the size of an 18” cube, that plays a floor game in an alliance format on a 12 ft. square field. Through all of this, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas.  In addition to STEM skills, students are required to perform outreach and fundraising activities, build a financial sustainability plan, document activities, and market and promote the team.

Requirements: Students in grades 8-12, Register online through our Activities Department - Fall Activities.

Schedule: The build season runs September through March, and we typically meet two evenings and Saturday morning per week.   The off season runs April through August and teams typically meet a few times per month.

 

What makes the STEAM Lab Special?

  • Flexible and Forgiving Learning - Students are provided the freedom to explore their own learning, where they are encouraged to fail fast without fear, building confidence as they develop continuous solutions.
  • Inviting, Open Workspace - An open and well-equipped space allows students to bring ideas to life.
  • Creating Change…Courageously - To create change and make a difference takes courage. The STEAM lab provides the ideal space to explore this valuable idea.
  • Limitless Thinking - Concepts planted in open minds grow into limitless ideas.
  • Collaboration and Ideation - Sometimes you need to just get away! Small group spaces designed within the lab allow students to collaborate and incubate ideas.
  • Respect. Experience. Excel. - Students excel with the respect and professionalism provided them in this space. We are all engineers here. We rise together.
  • Location. Location. Location. - Fact: environments impact us. Providing an optimal space ensures and promotes thought and idea production.

STEAM Lab Equipment

3D PrintersVR Class SetHobby CNC
Vinyl CutterLaser Engraver/CutterHand Tools
BandsawDrill PressHydroponic Garden Tower
Professional Engineering SoftwareMusic Production EquipmentVideo Recording Equipment
Lego EV3 Mind-Storm KitsSolar-Powered Light Assembly KitsSparkFun Electronic Programming Kits

STEM to STEAM. The Long and Short of it.

Education ebbs and flows with different acronyms and languages every generation, every decade, every year. It can be exhausting and difficult to keep up. The short story of STEM to STEAM is the addition of the (A)rts which embraces creative human-centered designs and considerations to be a part of the mathematical, cerebral analysis which, at times, can be cold and distancing. STEAM is integration, collaboration, analysis, creativity without walls and without barriers.

    The longer story is that STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics - wonderfully embodied by robotics) came from a national push to excel in science and math as a nation in hopes to remain competitive in the global market. For educators, this emphasis is similar to the interdisciplinary activities and practices we strive to facilitate and maintain in a time of standardized test and standardizations. While these testing benchmarks are valuable, they may not be as valuable as the organic, natural growth of active and passionate learning which is not siloed in single serving subject areas.  challenges. 

    See for yourself. Schedule a visit.