Happy National STEAM Day!
Did you know that Wisconsin was selected as one of five states to receive a technical assistance grant from the Arts Education Partnership (AEP) and Education Commission of the States (ECS) to transform STEM to STEAM? Iowa, California, Oregon, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are all working individually and collectively to advance STEAM education in our states through programming and policy actions.
Our Wisconsin team includes consultants from math, science, engineering, computer science, digital learning, arts and creativity, public libraries, and more. Along with our own internal discussions and research we have met with numerous corporations, non-profits, institutions of higher education, and indiviuals steeped in this work.
Of the many goals and projects we have set forth, we are excited to create a STEAM Fellows Network. In fact, the applications are due TODAY! Read more about this opportunity below. More information about our work will be shared in the weeks and months ahead. Full STEAM ahead!
Chris
Wisconsin STEAM Fellows Application Due Today!
Are you an educator or librarian with experience teaching STEM/STEAM? The Department of Public Instruction is looking to hire 15 STEAM fellows who will engage in professional development, collaborate with regional and statewide partners, and implement STEAM-related initiatives in their schools and communities. Fellows will participate in collaborative learning experiences, curate educational resources, develop a plan to locally engage underrepresented students in STEAM education, and share their learning with others. The fellowship aims to foster innovation, equity, and excellence in STEAM education across Wisconsin.
Fellowships highlights:
- $2,000 stipend
- Grow your own practice with free professional learning
- Support others to grow their practice by sharing what you’ve learned!
Click here to learn more and apply (Applications due November 8): DPI STEAM Education Fellows Application
WACP is LIVE!!
In its second year, the Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project (WACP) continues to demonstrate the interconnectedness of the arts and the unique capacity it has to teach essential human capacities. The 2024 WACP centers on the theme of “Curiosity”. As Sir Ken Robinson once said, "If teachers can keep the flame of curiosity burning in children, then pretty much everything else will follow from that. Curiosity is the engine of achievement." Wisconsin Poet Laureate, Kimberly Blaeser, has crafted a poem entitled, "Cabinet of Curiosities" to reflect the essential nature of curiosity in learning and growing. This beautiful poem describing the awe and wonder of exploring this cabinet serves as the "touchpoint" for all of the other artistic creations including the following commissioned works:
- Music: "Cabinet of Curiosities" by Andrew Boysen Jr. for concert band, string orchestra, SAB Choir and Piano, SA Choir and Piano, or any combination of these. (approx. grade 2.5)
- Painting: "Cabinet of Curiosities" by Brad Anthony Bernard
- Dance: "Cabinet of Curiosities" by Lavanyaa Surendar
- Theatre Production: Milwaukee High School of the Arts & Tricia LaCroix & Gus Rich, educators
- Media Arts Motion Graphic: "Cabinet of Curiosities" by Matthew Wigdahl
In addition to these commissioned works, this year's project offers even more resources to schools, communities, and libraries. Lesson plans, based on the theme of Curiosity, have been created by these prominent Wisconsin arts educators and artists:
- Music - Marcy Russell (Platteville MS/HS)
- Dance - Chell Parkins (UW-Madison)
- Theatre - Susan Roepke (New Holstein HS)
- Visual Art - Jennifer Dahl (Black River Falls)
- Korean Paper Art - SeonJoo So (Professional Artist)
- K-5 Media Art - Dustin Anderson (Grant Elem, Wisconsin Rapids)
- 6-12 Media Art - Jeanine Kleman (WI Rapids High School)
- Special thanks to the UW-Stevens Point Music Department for performing and recording "Cabinet of Curiosities" by Andrew Boysen Jr. for this project.
- UWSP Concert Choir - Dr. Matthew Cruz
- UWSP Symphony Orchestra - Dr. Andres Moran
- UWSP Wind Ensemble - Dr. John Lynch
- UWSP Music Dept. Chair - Matt Buchman
Music teacher brings new perspective to students after teaching in Honduras
A Wauwatosa music teacher is trying to bring a new perspective to her middle school students after spending part of the summer teaching in Central America.
Lauren Roznowski Hayden, the orchestra director at Longfellow Middle School, was one of only 20 United States citizens who earned a prestigious Fulbright Educator Award to teach in another country
“Playing music, you are a part of something bigger than yourself,” said Roznowski Hayden. “When I’m playing viola in an orchestra, or I’m conducting an orchestra, or working with a group of students, there is nothing I love more in the world.”
High School bands take the field to compete in WSMA state championships
High school marching bands from across the state competed in the WSMA state championships on Saturday. More than 30 bands competed across four classes, that were determined by school enrollment.
The 39th annual state championships took place at Perkins Stadium at UW-Whitewater. Opening ceremonies were at 11:45 a.m.
Elliegh Harter is the color guard captain at Sauk Prairie High School and she said this competition means a lot to her and her team.
“Today is super important to us because we get to see bands that we might have not seen before in other competitions and to get a good ranking of where we are at right now,” said Harter.
Photos by Jolesch Enterprises
125 Years of Music: The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music has taught hundreds of thousands of students
Inside an iconic red brick building in Milwaukee, the sound of cellos, pianos, and guitars have reverberated through its walls for more than 100 years. Congratulations to the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music (WCM) on celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
During that time, the conservatory has taught hundreds of thousands of students. They have a long list of alumni like Gene Wilder, Liberace, and Justin Hurwitz, who won an Oscar for scoring the film La La Land.
Central Wisconsin theater program gets national recognition
The Educational Theatre Association named Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School a Premier Community for Theatre Education. It's the first Wisconsin school to receive the honor.
Theater teacher and advisor Sara Danke Lukaszewicz says it's a thanks to all the work students and staff put into the program. "I think that's pretty incredible, especially being in central Wisconsin," said Danke Lukaszewicz. "Everybody thinks 'why central Wisconsin?' Well, why not? If there's a love for the art and a need for the art, we're going to have it and we do." She adds that she hopes the recognition will help secure future funding.
Expansion sees 34 northeast Wisconsin high schools participating in Musical Theater Program
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center announced that its Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program ‘remarkably expanded’ to 34 schools in the northeast Wisconsin area as it enters its ninth year.
There are a few first-timers as well, including Gibraltar, Howards Grove, Sheboygan Falls and Valders. Chief Programming Officer Amy Gosz said the expansion proves that the program has grown in both its impact and the amount of talent in the community.
Have Something To Share?
Send your local arts news to Chris Gleason - christopher.gleason@dpi.wi.gov
Applications Open for National Ensembles at Carnegie Hall
Each summer, Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles bring together the brightest young American instrumentalists for intensive training and performances on some of the world’s greatest stages. All three programs are free and led by an all-star faculty of professional musicians, giving students the opportunity to hone their talents while working with the world’s finest artists. As national ensembles, these programs include a broad range of musicians from across the country that reflect the exceptional talent and diversity of the United States. Consider encouraging your high school music students ages 16-19 to apply for this opportunity for next summer!
Applications due December 3, 2024. See site for details.
An Invitation From James Wells
I hope this email finds you well. Many of you I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with through Crayola, Arts Education Partnership or National Art Education Association. For those of you that I’ve not met, I’m James Wells and I serve as the Education Content Manager for Crayola. My work with the company is aimed at getting free resources to educators that has reached over 6.5 million students across the globe this year. I am reaching out to invite you to participate in our flagship program, Crayola Creativity Week. This free program aims to nurture creativity in children while weaving in standards based, cross curricular content in the Core Arts Standards, ELA, Next Gen Science Standards, SEL, STEAM, etc. Crayola Creativity Week occurs Jan 27- Feb 1 and features a full week of video content and downloadable resources. Participants will have an opportunity to hear stories and inspirational messages from celebrity authors and illustrators including, Matthew McConaughey, Henry Winkler, Phillipa Soo, Mo Willems and more. Our goal is to reach 8.5 million students across the globe and invite you to sign up your school, district and organization to participate. Feel free to share with anyone in your network using the attachment.
Join the Storytelling for Social Change Virtual Exchange Program – Spring 2025 Cohort!
iEARN-USA is now recruiting high school classes for the Spring 2025 cohort of Storytelling for Social Change, a fully-funded international virtual exchange program. This unique opportunity connects students from Algeria, Tunisia, and the United States to explore the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reflect on how they relate to their own lives and communities.
Through media analysis and project-based learning, students will gain valuable storytelling, communication, and technical skills. The program integrates seamlessly into a variety of subjects, including social studies, Arabic, and data science, enriching your classroom experience.
Why Participate?
Completely free, thanks to generous funding.
Minimal prep required—curriculum and materials are provided.
Expert facilitators guide you and your students every step of the way.
Comprehensive support and training for teachers, ensuring smooth participation.
Equip your students with global awareness and key 21st-century skills.
Interested?
Join our Virtual Info Session on Monday, November 4, 2024, from 5:30 - 6:30 PM ET to learn more about how your class can get involved! For more details, check the attached flyer or click here to register.
Have questions? Feel free to contact Program Manager Christen Maguire at christen@us.iearn.org.
Teacher at Sea Program
NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program offers educators a unique opportunity to join NOAA scientists aboard an ocean research vessel as a member of the science team. Since 1990, more than 850 teachers have sailed on NOAA surveys monitoring our nation’s fisheries, measuring physical and chemical ocean trends, and charting unknown regions of the seafloor.
Participants return to their classrooms with first-hand accounts of what it’s like to live and work at sea, illustrated by photos, blogs, and lesson plans. Their personal connections to NOAA’s science and stewardship help Teachers at Sea communicate the importance of NOAA’s mission to communities across the nation.
The online application for NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program 2025 Field Season is OPEN NOW, through the first Monday of December! Head over to teacheratsea.noaa.gov ("How to Apply") for details and a link to our online system. All application materials are due at ***11:59 pm PACIFIC Time on December 2, 2024.***
Submissions Open for 2024-2025 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge
The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, an initiative of the NEA in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, is now accepting submissions for the 2024-25 program, an opportunity for high school students to develop and showcase musical compositions that could be a part of a musical theater production. Students will have access to the Writing is ReWriting Resource Center, workshops, and constructive critique opportunities to cultivate their songwriting skills throughout the submission window, which ends January 31, 2025. More details and information on how to register at namt.org/challenge. Read the full announcement »
Poetry Out Loud 20th Anniversary
Schools and Organizations Invited to Host Their Own Poetry Out Loud Competition
The 2024-2025 school year marks the 20th anniversary of Poetry Out Loud®, an arts education program and dynamic poetry recitation competition for high school students that lifts poetry off the page, creating community and connection. A partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Poetry Foundation, and state and jurisdictional arts agencies, Poetry Out Loud takes place in all 50 states, American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Schools and organizations are encouraged to contact their Poetry Out Loud state coordinator to get involved in this year’s competition.
Letter to Chief State School Officers on Arts Education
This is huge! The U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently sent a “Dear Colleague” letter to state education agencies clarifying the use of federal funds for arts education under Titles I, II, III, IV-A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Carl. D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This is the first time ED has released such guidance since 2013, which was two years before ESSA passed shifting language from core academic subjects to a well-rounded education including music and the arts. The release of new guidance marks a monumental win for arts education programs and is the culmination of years of work from arts education advocates.
With the release of ED’s new guidance, arts educators across the country will no longer have to wonder if/how federal funds can be used to support their programs. The release of this guidance marks an inflection point for arts education, officially recognized as part of a well-rounded education in 2015, and now receiving comprehensive guidance on how federal funds can support its programming.
Read and share ED’s Letter to Chief State School Officers on Arts Educationhere.
50 States of Arts Participation Report
The National Endowment for the Arts and the National Arts Statistics and Evidence-Based Reporting Center just released their 50 States of Arts Participation. This report examines state-level data from the 2022 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts including a comparison of arts participation across states, how rates of arts participation compare with participation rates for other types of activities and the types of modalities do people use to access and learn about the arts.
OPINION: Parents should not be freaked out when their kids want to pursue an arts education
UW-Madison Mini Music Clinic
Join us on the UW–Madison campus for a day of music education
Designed for students in grades 9–12, Mini Music Clinics in choir, band and orchestra offer an enriching and fast-paced program focused on musical growth and connection — all in a single day! You’ll enhance your music education through large- and small-group instruction from UW–Madison Mead Witter School of Music faculty and graduate students and collaborate with your musically inspired peers.
Each clinic offers one full day of music on the UW–Madison campus, including rehearsals, performance classes, lunch and dinner and culminates in a final concert. In addition to making music, students learn from campus partners about opportunities to pursue music as majors and non-majors.
CLINIC OPTIONS
Band Clinic—November 9, 2024
Register by November 1
Guest Conductor: Julie Giroux
Orchestra Clinic—February 9, 2025
Register by January 31
Choir Clinic—February 15, 2025
Register by February 7
Limited scholarship support is available.
Register for Mini Music Clinics
2025 National Arts Integration and STEAM Conference
Registration is open for the 2025 National Arts Integration and STEAM Conference! This conference is the largest two-day conference dedicated to the latest strategies for arts integration and STEAM in K-12 classrooms, schools and districts. With inspiring keynotes, educational breakouts, innovative product and service demos, hands-on workshops, along with unique networking and entertainment experiences, it’s a can’t-miss event for anyone looking to elevate their professional growth.
Kids with obesity do worse in school. One reason may be teacher bias
The ‘obesity achievement gap’ is getting more attention. New research suggests that teachers may unconsciously view these students as less motivated and intelligent – and grade them harshly
Pyramids, cathedrals, and rockets exist not because of geometry, theories of structures, or thermodynamics, but because they were first a picture-- literally a vision--in the minds of those who built them. Society is where it is today because people had the perception; the images and the imagination; the creativity that the Arts provide, to make the world the place we live in today."
–Eugene Ferguson, Historian
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Chris Gleason
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
This publication and previous issues are available from: Division of Academic Excellence> Teaching and Learning Team> Arts and Creativity. https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts/newsletter
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Email: christopher.gleason@dpi.wi.gov
Website: https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts
Location: 201 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53707
Phone: 608-264-9554