November 13, 2017 – The Near North District School Board is pleased to announce that West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School in North Bay has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2017–2019 for its exemplary work of the STEAM program.
Available to students in grades 9-12, the STEAM program integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics with a focus on project-based learning.
Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence that use Apple products to inspire creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. They showcase innovative uses of technology in learning, teaching, and the school environment and have documented results of academic accomplishment. West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School was first recognized for STEAM in the Apple Distinguished School in the 2015-2017 school years.
“We’re thrilled with seeing West Ferris’ STEAM efforts progressing from an Apple Distinguished Program to an Apple Distinguished School,” said Brent Yacoback, program lead for STEAM at West Ferris and Apple Distinguished Educator. “The selection of West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School as an Apple Distinguished School highlights our continued success as an innovative and compelling learning environment that engages students and provides tangible evidence of academic accomplishment.”
The STEAM program has taken on several different names since its inception as the ST-21 program in 1992. In 2005, ST-21 was transformed into the ST Wireless Program with the inclusion of student laptops as the main learning tool. In 2009, further enhancements included the shift to students using Apple MacBook Pro and iPod Touch. In 2015, the program was rebranded once again as STEAM, and was recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program for 2015-2017.
“Our STEAM students and teachers use Apple products and programming on a regular basis, and strive to be technology leaders both within our school, and across our school district,” said Ryan Culhane, lead teacher for STEAM at West Ferris and Apple Distinguished Educator.
For more information, please contact:
Andy Gagné, Principal, West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School
E.: Andy.Gagne@nearnorthschools.ca
P.: 705-475-2333
