By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Pontiac District 429 will be phasing in the STEAM Initiative over the next three years, beginning next year.

Superintendent Brian Dukes explains that STEAM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, art and math education and also goes on to say how it will affect students.

“This is something that is common, not only in Illinois, but across the nation. This is something that our kids just haven’t been exposed to. We just really feel like what they’re going to gain from these opportunities, from the hands-on activities that are a part of the curriculum to technology on the computer side of things. It’s just really skills that kids need, regardless of where they’re going to go when they leave us. They needs these skills of collaborating with other kids, creativity, problem solving and just being able to figure things out,” Dukes said.

Dukes was a guest on a recent Community Forum, where he further explains the new initiative. The forum is available at WJEZ.com.