For the Freshman of this school, their first year at STEAM Academy is an important one. From learning how to make friends to learning important habits that they will carry into their futures. With spring approaching the clock ticks down until (arguably) the most important time of the year for STEAM students, the STEAM habit defenses. Every year, students from every grade level have to explain how they have used the STEAM habits in things like projects and their day-to-day life. In the spring of 2023, Freshman students were told to come back to school where they created a slideshow and had to defend in front of professors, teachers, and parents. But, in the Spring of 2024, Freshmen were then required to make a video defending their growth and prove that they have used these habits this year.
So now students are asking, “What is it going to be this year?” well I have interviewed a couple of teachers who are going to help me explain their process. Coach Vaughn has told me that he recently recorded a defense that will be an exemplar for the Freshman class as to how their defense should look, sound, and be overall. Freshman will also be required to do a practice defense in December in their English class that will be graded. Students will defend only two habits during this practice round but will be required to defend four in the Spring. Vaughan noted, “They will be presenting in a lower-stakes situation to get themselves prepared for the real thing.”
FRESHMAN DEFENSE- TBD in mid to late April.
SOPHMORE DEFENSE- December 4th-6th.
Sophomores will be presenting in person in a panel-like situation.
JUNIOR DEFESCE- March 7th.
Juniors will be presenting at the career fair.
SENIOR DEFENSE- February 7th/14th.
Students need to be sure to get prepared for these defenses and log moments on Elevate to help them do so.
