STEM education at Blessed Sacrament School

Courtesy photo/Blessed Sacrament Catholic School WozED

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Blessed Sacrament Catholic School students use cubelet robots to mimic animals.

SANDY — Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, nestled in Sandy, is igniting a passion for innovation by integrating Woz ED STEM Kits into its curriculum.

Serving students from day care through eighth grade, the school offers hands-on experiences in drones, animation, engineering, coding, and robotics – preparing young minds to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.

Principal Bryan Penn believes STEM education is more than just a curriculum, it’s a critical investment in the future. “We’re training students for jobs that don’t exist yet and equipping them to think like problem-solvers,” he said.

With this forward-thinking approach, Blessed Sacrament is building on its 35-year legacy of empowering students while embracing the technology and skills of the modern world.

A Unique Approach to STEM

What sets Blessed Sacrament apart is its collaborative STEM model. Students from different grade levels team up to tackle projects together, creating a dynamic environment where younger students learn from older peers and everyone benefits from teamwork.

Students in grades K-8 progress through the Woz Pathway curriculum, which is designed to teach concepts in stages over two semesters. The weekly schedule includes one day of teacher-led demonstrations and a second day for hands-on exploration, where students bring the lessons to life. This mix of instruction and experimentation fosters creativity, critical thinking and resilience – skills that extend well beyond the classroom.

The school’s commitment to fostering a “scientific method mentality” has transformed the way students approach challenges. They embrace trial and error as part of the learning process, growing more confident and resourceful with each experiment. This mindset has even influenced other subjects, empowering students to tackle problems with determination and creativity.

A Bold Beginning

Blessed Sacrament launched its STEM program in 2023, inspired by a diocesan-wide initiative led by Utah Catholic Schools Superintendent Mark Longe. A presentation from Cobalt ED, a partner of Woz ED, sparked excitement among educators and administrators, leading the school to adopt five STEM pathways.

Implementing a cutting-edge program came with challenges, especially for veteran teachers accustomed to traditional methods, but the faculty has been dedicated. Their willingness to learn new materials and embrace change has been vital to the program’s success, earning the admiration of Principal Penn.

Looking Ahead

The excitement surrounding STEM at Blessed Sacrament is palpable. Principal Penn is eager to see how the program will evolve, saying, “We’re just getting started. The possibilities are endless, and I can’t wait to see what our students achieve next.”

By embracing innovation, fostering collaboration and preparing students for a rapidly changing world, Blessed Sacrament is shaping the next generation of thinkers, creators and leaders. The school’s journey into STEM is more than just a program, it’s a commitment to inspiring curiosity, resilience and a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

Courtesy of Blessed Sacrament Catholic School WozED