News and Updates Rambam Day School

In today’s world, most schools have a STEM lab or some type of tinker station, but what sets our innovation department apart from others? Here at Rambam Day School, we strongly believe in the importance of having a highly qualified innovation team where students can start exploring these concepts at our youngest age group, 18 months. We are committed to equipping our students with critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, communication, and collaboration skills to prepare them for the world.

Students are naturally curious about the world around them, and we are here to help them nurture that curiosity. Our early childhood makerspace teacher, Shunit Roth, is a highly skilled and encouraging teacher who provides a safe space for our youngest learners to explore and test their ideas. She provides them with the necessary materials to build upon their own developmentally appropriate skills to conquer the tasks at hand.

Once our students reach elementary school, they will have science and technology classes. Both of these classes continue to build upon our student’s curiosity and build their inquiry skills. Over the past few years, we have revamped our science and technology departments by examining our curriculum to intentionally focus on the skills needed to prepare our students for the ever-changing world. Through hands-on learning, innovative projects, and engaging discussions, we aim to spark curiosity and empower our students to explore the endless possibilities of science and technology.

The science team is made up of science-loving professionals who are invested in inspiring the next generation. In kindergarten and first grade, students work with Lucas Le Fournis, who has a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and is completing his master’s in environmental science. Our second and third-grade students continue building on these skills with Kathleen Rodick, who also has a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. Fourth and fifth-grade students finish their science studies with Alyssa Macaluso, who has a bachelor’s degree in marine biology and a master’s in curriculum and instruction. The science departments work closely with each other to ensure all units are vertically aligned.

Our science teachers are committed to teaching our students how to question, form hypotheses, collect data, analyze information, and make inferences and evidence-based conclusions through hands-on labs and projects that foster a life-long love of learning. These skills are transferable to future careers, and they gain awareness of their role in solving problems that impact the world around them. Students will leave Rambam Day School with the ability to apply science and engineering knowledge to engage in public discussions on relevant issues in a changing world.

On the technology side of the innovation team, Melissa Greenstein lays the foundation of digital safety, coding, robotics, engineering design, and creative use of technology for our kindergarten through second-grade students. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in education and a certification in instructional design and technology. Our third through fifth-grade students continue these skills with Alyssa Torres. Alyssa comes to Rambam with a bachelor’s degree in technical education and a master’s in career and technical education.

What is the importance of continuing to teach our students coding in a world filled with artificial intelligence? Coding teaches students sequential and algorithmic thinking, allowing them to break down complex concepts into manageable tasks, which is essential for everyday life. Coding is also a heavily creative aspect that humans need to implement. Exposure to coding at a young age allows children to develop the skills to think logically and solve problems systematically. Students will also be able to use technology for effective navigation, responsible online behavior, creative expression, and adaptability to evolving technologies, fostering confidence, ethics, and resourcefulness in a rapidly changing world.

Together, the innovation team leads STREAM Days, which incorporate all STREAM subjects (science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and math) and allows students to use their critical thinking, creativity, and inquiry skills. Students use collaborative effort, but STREAM Days also inspire them to problem solve, organize their thinking, develop engineering design strategies, test out different ideas, formulate a plan, and incorporate art and design.

Students experience two STREAM days per year. At each level, they are challenged with unique projects that align with their appropriate skill sets.

Exposing all students to science and technology at a young age helps build confidence in these areas later in life, breaking down any stereotypes and barriers in the STEM fields. These skills are not only necessary for science and technology, but students can implement them in other classes and be transferable to everyday life and the world around them. Early exposure gives students a competitive edge. Science labs and interactive technology are engaging and fun, which can motivate students to do well in school and enhance their overall academic performance.

Ashley Reed
Innovation & Technology Director