Salem Academy Goes Full “Steam” Ahead With Fall Innovation Days

From Wednesday, October 12 through Friday, October 14, 2022, Salem Academy will hold its Innovation Days experience. The program is specifically designed for Salem Academy students to learn from experts representing a variety of STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).

Over the course of the two days, students will have the opportunity to choose a specific track and engage in experiential learning with professionals from a range of industries. The fully immersive experience allows students to delve more deeply into a specific area of study to determine if that field might be of interest for potential professional pursuit.

The Innovation Days schedule includes five learning tracks:

• Women in Science – Gene Editing Using CRISPR in a Box: Students will work with the CRISPR in a box solution, a new educational resource that inspires interest in gene editing. This innovative process is strategically deployed in the fight against deadly diseases such as cancer and sickle cell disease. The innovator in residence for the gene editing-it track is Brett M. Sandsbury, PhD from Christiana Care.
• Women in Engineering – Design and Lighting: Students will work with Tab May, theatre innovator in residence, on theatrical design and lighting engineering related to new techniques and best practices for stage production. The insights gleaned will be applied in Salem Academy’s fall production of “Clue,” which will be presented October 27 through 29 at 7:30 p.m.
• Women in the Arts – Students will work with accomplished, local artist, Beth Spieler, to design and paint a mural for the beautification of the Salem Academy and College campus and to help tell Salem’s story.
• Women Exploring History – This is a joint English and History department trip for Academy juniors only. It is designed to explore the themes and contradictions in some of the founding documents of the United States. The visit to Monticello will focus on Jefferson as the author of the Declaration of Independence, and the visit to Montpelier will focus on Madison as the author of the Bill of Rights. Both sites feature exhibits on slavery which highlight the founders’ understanding of liberty and other rights of citizenship in the 18th century. In addition, we will visit the University of Virginia for an admission tour of the campus and a historical tour including the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers.
• Women in Architecture and Design – Students will visit MIXXER in Winston Salem for a hands-on building and design experience in one of the Makerspace labs. The workshop will be led by Marie Cayabyab who joined Salem Academy’s faculty this fall and serves as STEAM coordinator.

Salem Academy’s Innovation Days are yet another example of the school’s commitment to providing students with access to experiential educational experiences opportunities that will not only foster their love of learning but provide real-world paths for transferring passion into profession.