From the Wall Street Journal (December 2, 2013):

“Students at MS 534 in Brooklyn faced an unusual assignment in their photography class: They had to build their own cameras.

The pilot program in the public school is part of a growing national push to blend science and the arts—subjects that, at times, have seemed locked in a zero-sum game for school funding.

Now, a coalition of educators, artists and scientists are proposing a different approach to science, technology, engineering and math education, commonly known as STEM: Add the arts and make it STEAM…”

Read the full article >>

Watch video from WSJ about MS 534 >>

Fifty Project BOOST students attended Blue Man Group (https://www.blueman.com/) on Friday October 11, 2013 with Early Stages at CEI’s Live Theater program. Harry S. Truman High School (https://www.bxtrumanhighschool.com/) and IS 151X (https://www.is151.org/) both traveled via the subway from the Bronx to Astor Place Theatre in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. For over three quarters of the students, this was not only their first Off-Broadway show but their first live performance!

Early Stages at CEI works with Project BOOST to provide culturally enriching experiences for students who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. These after-school and out-of-school-time programs foster cross-grade collaboration and provide bonding and mentoring opportunities as the students explore the city. Evan, an 8^th grader from IS 151X wrote that he “thought Blue Man was only going to be about music but it was funny and entertaining with lots of jokes and tricks. I really think that this was the best moment in my life to be able to see and share this performance with all my classmates.”

Here are what some of the other students had to say about their Off-Broadway experience:

“Blue Man Group surprised me by how it was so strange and exciting. Everything from the show will stick with me because it was one of the best times of my life and now I know why so many people like to go to the theater!” – Alexis, 7^th grade, IS 151X

“What will stick with me from Blue Man Group is the fact that even though they didn’t use words to communicate, they still conveyed their point of view and goals.” – Jodie Ann, 10th grade, Harry S. Truman High School

“Blue Man Group related to my own life with the iPhones and how people don’t talk anymore, they just text.” – Maridalia, 11th grade, Harry S. Truman High School

“The Blue Man Group reminded me of clowns but their own type of clowns. I will most remember how fun the music was. Seeing the show live and in person gave me that first-hand experience. I like how they made the whole audience part of the performance. The experience of going to see a live show will stick with me and it makes me want to go to more shows like the Blue Man Group!” – Kevin B., 7^th grade, IS 151X

“What will stick with me from Blue Man Group is the new knowledge of all the science facts.” –Nafeesa, 10th grade, Harry S. Truman High School

“What I learned from Blue Man Group is that you can make music out of your surroundings.” –Najee, 12th grade, Harry S. Truman High School