PRINCETON, MA, May 14, 2015. The Thomas Prince School (TPS) Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Program was awarded top honors and $400 this week as recipient of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education.
EEA annually collaborates with the Secretary's Advisory Group on Energy and Environmental Education (SAGEE) and the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) to recognize K-12 schools and teachers across the Commonwealth for their outstanding efforts in furthering energy and environmental education initiatives at their schools.
With this award to TPS’ STEAM Program, EEA Secretary Matthew Beaton recognized TPS’ innovative approach to education under its STEAM-based curriculum. TPS projects that helped garner the award were numerous and included: student design and construction of wind-powered vehicles; studies in ocean pollution; a student-created web-based nature trail guide; a student-planted and student-harvested organic garden; and a partnership in local watershed education with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
“On behalf of the TPS STEAM Program and all of our partners, we are honored to receive the Secretary’s Award for Excellence,” stated Andrew Hacket, Chair of the TPS STEAM Advisory Board and a second grade teacher at TPS. “Whether our students are designing plant seed dispersal devices, architecting solutions for protecting homes from wind and water damage, or constructing solar ovens, the STEAM philosophy runs cross-curricular and deep at TPS. It's gratifying for all to see it recognized by the Secretary’s prestigious award.”
TPS will showcase its STEAM program at its 1st annual STEAM Expo to be held from 4:30–7:00 pm on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at TPS. Community members & media are invited to attend.
Photograph from May 11, 2015 EEA Secretary’s Award ceremony at the Massachusetts State House Great Hall. Among those pictured are TPS Teacher Will Candler, SAGEE Chair Robin Organ, SecretaryBeaton, DOER Commissioner Judith Judson, and TPS Student Representatives