S.T.R.E.A.M 
Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, Mathematics 

Within the framework of the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals, our students researched and identified regions of the world in need of help, and specific challenges therein that they sought to address. With the utmost cultural empathy, they engage in research and in the engineering design process over a 6-month time span to invent and innovate solutions to these challenges. 
  
During the STREAM Fair, the following elements of the projects are highlighted: The engineering prototype, an informational trifold brochure, an engineering notebook and a poster display board. 

7th and 8th grade students participate in the STREAM program as part of their science curriculum. The Synergistic Lab at St. Thomas has 13 different workstations including Alternative Energy, Flight, Robots, Audio Broadcasting, Computer Graphics and Animation, and Bio-Technology. Each workstation takes about seven classes to complete. Working with a partner, students get hands on experience doing experiments and projects associated with the workstation topic. 

     For example, in Engineering Bridges, students design and build a bridge which is then placed in a testing rig to determine how strong their bridge is. In Flight, students make a wing which is tested with a wind machine to see how much “lift” it generates; in Robots, they program a robot to perform a repetitive task. One of the real strengths of the STREAM/Synergistic program is that it exposes students to a wide variety of possible career choices before they get into high school and need to choose a course of study for their college years. 

After School STREAM:  

In coordination with the Montclair Learning Center we have incorporated several after school acitivites which take place for students in multiple grades:  

Build it Build it--Grades K-2-Let’s develop our engineering skills by building bridges, tunnels and houses, using Legos and everyday materials. Design, build and improve your constructions. 

CSI STREAM--Grades 5-8-You are the detective! Use your problem solving skills and explore forensic science to solve a mystery.  
Students will have fun engaging in the following activities: 
Hands-on science experiments to analyze fingerprints, DNA and clues using chromatography, fiber analysis, chemistry and toxicology to identify unknown substances and liquids.  

Roller Coaster Engineering--Grades 3-8--Explore the thrill of building your own amusement park.  
Learn basic concepts of engineering and physics as you design and build a safe roller coaster and theme park rides.  
Identify machines and use the following concepts: momentum, force, gravity, friction, motion, gears, and pulleys.