STEM

In addition to reading, writing, and arithmetic, students need to be able to create digital environments, not just use them.  Coding stresses computational thinking, in which students break a problem down and express a solution in steps that a computer can understand.  After all, in the 21st century the ability to code will be as critical to their success as reading and arithmetic were their parents.  No matter what field they choose, computers will be part of their work and daily life, and they will find themselves more capable and independent if they understand how computers work.

Python Programming and Programming for the Arduino give kids experience using common software and firmware platforms, and Introduction to Robotics uses Mindstorms, Scratch, and NXT as a fun way to get code off the screen and actually doing things in the real world.  Additionally, the regular reinforcement of Quaker values helps students learn to be thoughtful, responsible digital citizens.

In addition to understanding their roles as consumers and users of digital media, students are encouraged to become creators, makers, and inventors through hands-on projects involving digital content creation, coding, prototyping, and robotics.  They create and code interactive applications, produce animated multimedia presentations for literature and history classes, and use CAD tools and materials to design and prototype a toy, musical instrument, household object, or consumer product.

With a VEX robotics team, chess club, and more, students have ample opportunities to stretch their abilities with interested faculty and like-minded friends.  And in addition to class work, they have access to Moses Brown’s 5,000-square-foot Y-lab, a maker space open to everyone in the Moses Brown community that serves as a home for tinkerers, inventors, and entrepreneurs of any age.