If you have school-aged kids, chances are you’ve heard about the importance of STEAM, aka Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. For Chicago City Day School, located in the city’s Lakeview neighborhood, STEAM isn’t just a teaching concept. It’s a way of life.
“We weren doing STEAM before it was STEAM,” says Tech and Design teacher Fonda Baldwin, a long-term educator at the school. “We’ve been integrating science, tech, engineering, art and math long before the term became popular. Our subjects are never exclusive — students see how everything in the world links together.”
The school’s approach to STEAM fosters creativity, critical thinking and hands-on learning, preparing students for both academic success and real-world problem-solving.
City Day’s integrated STEAM approach to education
From the youngest students in junior kindergarten to the soon-to-graduate eighth graders, Chicago City Day School ensures that learning is interconnected and meaningful.
“You don’t live life in a vacuum. We don’t teach in a vacuum either. We make learning more meaningful by having all the teachers care about one topic and look at it from different angles,” Baldwin explains.
For example, when students learn about time in their academic lessons, they don’t just stop at reading clocks. In tech class, they actually design and build 3D clocks and experience all the challenges that go along with it.
“Our fourth graders design a clock in tech class and then take that design to the computer lab to make a 3D model. They learn to troubleshoot and see their design come to life with the 3D printer,” Baldwin says.
This hands-on, project-based learning helps students see real-world applications for their classroom knowledge.
Creativity and collaboration across subjects
Art teacher Sarah Young and Baldwin collaborate frequently to blend the creative and technical aspects of STEAM.
“It’s great that Fonda and I see the same classes two to three days a week. We can build on each other’s lessons and work together to get students excited about projects that tie into their other subjects,” Young says.
This collaboration shines through in projects that seamlessly integrate the topics kids are learning on any given day.
For example, students studying the solar system don’t just learn the names of the planets in science class. “In my art class, students studying the solar system in science create oil pastel drawings, focusing on the colors and visual aspects of planets like Mars,” Young explains.
STEAM learning at City Day also extends into history and social studies.
“For our Native American curriculum, second graders build Seminole homes with natural materials and study their textiles. They also recreate the Seminoles’ clothing using colored paper,” says Young. “This allows us to explore even more topics, like climate and why people need to dress the way that they do.”
Empowering students through real-world projects
One of the key goals of the STEAM program at City Day is to give students real-world skills that boost their confidence and help them understand the importance of their education.
Baldwin shares, “Once you’ve created and executed a 3D drawing or design, you see the world differently. Our students gain confidence by using real tools and technology.”
Whether it’s building cardboard furniture sturdy enough to hold a student or crafting boats to sail in the school’s pond, students are given real challenges that stretch their critical thinking and creativity.
“We see students light up when they realize they can design and build something themselves — whether it’s a food truck sculpture or a piece of furniture. They’re not just learning concepts; they’re applying them in real, creative ways,” Baldwin adds.
Preparing students for future success
From architecture lessons that teach students how to use industry-standard tools to art projects inspired by famous artists like Henri Matisse, Chicago City Day’s integrated STEAM learning is constantly pushing students to think bigger and dig deeper into their interests.
By eighth grade, students are designing floor plans for architectural dream houses, combining art and technical skills in ways that mimic real-world professions.
“We’re helping students become well-rounded individuals, not just focused on one track, but learning a bit about everything — poetry, art, math, technology. By the time they leave here, they’re poised and prepared for the future,” Baldwin says proudly.
A culture of kindness and creativity
Beyond the academic benefits, Chicago City Day School fosters an environment where students are encouraged to be themselves. “We have a culture of kindness. Students feel safe to be themselves without fear of ridicule and that’s when they really flourish,” Young says.
Plus, the small class sizes ensure that every child gets the individual attention they need to thrive.
For Chicago City Day School, STEAM isn’t just an acronym, Young emphasizes. It’s a better way to educate students for a future full of possibilities.
“We’re not just teaching students facts, we’re giving them the tools to see the world through a creative and curious lens. By combining art, science, and technology, we’re helping them discover what they’re truly capable of.”
For more information about the City Day and to schedule a tour, visit their website: www.chicagocitydayschool.org.
