NEWS RELEASE
November 5, 2018
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen, Marketing Director
561-345-3103
ROSARIAN STEM PROGRAM BLASTS OFF: NEW LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS OUT OF THIS WORLD
Rosarian Academy opened its newly constructed hands-on learning environment, the Freitas STEM Innovation Center, on the first day of school, August 27, 2018. The center is stocked with state-of-the-art equipment, including a video green screen wall, 3-D printer, laser cutter, EV3 kits, BeeBots and much more.
The school hosted a showcase on Thursday, November 1. Parents and grandparents had the opportunity to see how students think, create, design, and problem solve in the newly renovated 1,840 square feet of cutting-edge space.
The official ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication of the STEM Center took place on Friday, November 2. The ceremony included honoring the major donors who have helped Rosarian Academy make huge strides in its STEM programming: Mary and Mark Freitas, Wiliam & Jean Koeppel, Estelle Curran, and the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Attendees included the aforementioned individuals and members of the Rosarian Academy Board of Directors, Charitable Trust Board and Emeritus Board. A reception was held at the Palm Beach Yacht Club following the ribbon cutting and dedication.
On both days, student-led stations were set up for the special guests to use the wide-array of technological equipment and experience the project-based and problem-based learning that takes place in the classrooms every day.
As some students showcased their innovative learning inside the STEM Center, Middle School students experienced out-of-this-world missions on a 47-foot rocket ship that landed on Rosarian’s front lawn. Fifth-through-eighth-grade students solved real-world problems in the Experium rocket which is a mobile escape room. The problem-based puzzles allowed the participants to go through the process of the scientific method and engineering design process as they worked together as a team in groups of 10.
In tandem with renovating and opening its new STEM Innovation Center, Rosarian Academy recently partnered with Carnegie Science Center as the first Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway partner in the state of Florida. Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway is designed to help schools adopt best practices in STEM education. This shared learning process and continuous curricular improvement is the school’s commitment to preparing its students for any career path in the 21st century.
Rosarian Academy, founded in 1925, educates students from early childhood through eighth grade and offers an exceptionally strong academic program enriched by athletics, visual and performing arts, and community service opportunities. STEM, coding, art, drama, music theory, and Spanish classes begin in kindergarten. The independent, Catholic school is located on Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach and is sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Complimentary bus service is available throughout Palm Beach County, including stops at Donald Ross & US1 and the North Palm Beach Country Club. For more information, visit www.rosarian.org or call 561.345.3106.
