At E.L. Haynes, we are in the midst of an exciting transformation. As we lean into our identity as a STEAM+ school, we are redefining how students engage with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, and foreign languages.
Often, people imagine a STEAM+ lab as a room full of goggles and test tubes. But if you want to see the “A” for Arts and the “E” for Engineering truly collide, you have to look toward the back of our auditorium.
Where Art Meets the Algorithm
The production crew—comprising scholars from third to fifth grade—is one of our most dynamic STEAM+ learning experiences. When Art teacher Khanh Le and Music teacher Ben Byrd mentor students on professional sound monitors and streaming technology, they aren’t just preparing for a concert; they are teaching systems thinking.
“There are kids who are truly fascinated by the technology, the streaming, and the making of videos,” says Mr. Khanh. This fascination is the gateway to technical mastery. To stream a performance like our recent “Harmony and Hope” celebration to hundreds of homes, our students have to understand signal paths, audio balancing, and the digital architecture of a broadcast. This is engineering in the service of empathy—using math and tech to ensure a grandmother across the country can see her grandchild shine.
Cultivating the Technical Mindset
For students like Jack G. and Michael P., the production booth offers a unique entry point into the technical world. In a STEAM+-focused environment, we recognize that not every brilliant mind wants to be at the center of the stage. Some are born to design the experience.
- The Science of Sound: Students like Ellis K. are learning how sound waves are captured and manipulated.
- The Technology of Connection: The crew manages the digital interface that bridges our physical campus with our virtual community.
- The Engineering of a Moment: Every camera angle and lighting cue is a solved problem, a piece of a larger puzzle that the crew assembles in real-time.
A Future-Ready Community
Our transition to a STEAM+ school is fueled by a “rigorous optimism”—a belief that our students deserve early access to the tools that run the modern world. By the time a Haynes scholar reaches middle school, they haven’t just watched a video; they’ve had the opportunity to direct one.
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and our annual musicals, we are doing more than honoring our diverse community. We are proving that our culture is the perfect canvas for technical innovation.
At E.L. Haynes, we are building a world where every student—whether they are singing under the lights or navigating the digital world behind them—knows they have the skills to build the future.
Written by Alana Canterbury | Alana is an elementary reading intervention teacher and a Haynes parent. When she’s not rounding up students for a reading session, you can find her with her nose in a book.