At Forest Ridge, the STEAM elective is more than just an acronym—it’s an invitation for students to explore, innovate, and create in teams. This unique class combines art, science, technology, engineering, and math in a way that fosters hands-on learning and collaboration. Led by Ms. Konek, STEAM encourages students to set their own high standards for each project while learning essential skills in teamwork, time management, and creative problem-solving.

Each project in STEAM invites students to brainstorm, design, and build together. The class explores a wide range of projects, from constructing cardboard furniture and building Rube Goldberg machines to designing garments and creating accessibility-focused creations. One recent project involved a garment design, where students “shopped” for a limited selection of materials and then creatively incorporated each item into their final piece. In Ms. Konek's class, students to share ideas, combine perspectives, and learn from each other.

The STEAM students even joke that the course could be called "SHEAM" to include humanities, acknowledging the broader approach of that class that integrates art, science, math, and social awareness. For Ms. Konek, the goal of her class is to show students that creativity is integral to STEM fields, fostering problem-solving skills and empowering them to consider audience needs and adapt their designs accordingly.

Beyond design and construction, each project in STEAM culminates in self-reflection, where students write about their collaborative journey and lessons learned. Ms. Konek, who has taught STEAM at Forest Ridge in various iterations, is continuously inspired by the originality and teamwork that emerge from each unique project. In this class, every piece is distinct, celebrating the power of collaboration and creative thinking to solve challenges in unexpected and innovative ways.

Here are some photos from the recent fashion show that students in STEAM put on. Each piece is handmade, incorporating sewing skills and creative problem solving.