Children make gratitude collages for a project. courtesy photo/ Suzanne Drown Trout
Fiddlehead Center for the Arts in Scarborough offers STEAM Wednesdays Homeschool Program, which provides a blend of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math activities.
Program Director Suzanne Drown Trout, an artist and therapist, taught her first art camp at Fiddlehead in 2009 and has been involved ever since.
Oona Gilles-Weil, executive director of Fiddlehead Center for the Arts, credited Trout’s ability to tailor the curriculum to students’ interests, empowering each child to lead their exploration of arts and sciences to the success of the program. Gilles-Weil said, “The magic of our STEAM Wednesdays Homeschool Program at Fiddlehead is all due to Suzanne Drown Trout. She masterfully creates an environment where children are nurtured and inspired.”
The program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. The student to teacher ratio is 6 to 1 and projects are based on monthly themes.
“We start the morning with a meeting and do a check in and give them an opportunity to share one or two things about their week,” Trout said. “During this meeting we work on interpersonal skills such as listening, patience, taking turns and taking risks to share with others. Sometimes we will include a game during this time.” Next is the first of two structured projects which involves art, science or culture that lasts about an hour depending on the project.
Making Chicken Treats at Fiddlehead. courtesy photo/ Suzanne Drown Trout
“During the fall and spring we get outside for about an hour after the first project and snack,” she said, “which is the time for participants to play together; create their own games and interact with each other. We also include some structured activities like scavenger hunts, learning to play four square or freeze dance during this time.”
“Morning meetings; partnerships during projects and games; lunchtime conversations are all times when we are working on building community and relationships. We also find that during outside and choice times participants get to know each other better and build long-lasting friendships that continue outside our program,” Trout said.
Monthly themes guide all Fiddlehead programs, Trout said, including STEAM, day camps and after school.
“Last month’s theme was gratitude and kindness,” Trout said, “so our projects included making chicken and donkey treats for the animals at Smiling Hill Farm. November is Native American Heritage month, so we made baskets inspired by their culture. Science is very popular with our participants, so we include a science experiment like oobleck or baking soda and vinegar eruptions almost every week. We are very excited about a field trip we are taking soon to the new neighboring Hannaford in which we will learn more about how a store works and where our food comes from,” Trout said.
Pet visits are also incorporated within the curriculum. Theresa Tillman, Trout’s co-teacher, has dealt with a variety of animals often brings in some of her pets for visits. Two guinea pigs that live at Fiddlehead. “My dog Lucy often visits and she provides us with another chance to talk about what animals need and how to care for them,” Trout said.
The program’s primary focus is on children aged 5-11, Trout said, but noted there is flexibility based on the participants’ needs and interests. Older participants are assigned long-term projects.
Mandy Swanson said Fiddlehead’s STEAM Homeschool class has been a phenomenal addition to her family’s first year of homeschooling. “It complements our curriculum beautifully and offers a collaborative space to explore alongside other kids. The outside space and Tinkerbus are enchanting for all ages! The compassionate and innovative teachers set the stage for creative learning each class.”
Her daughter is passionate about science and the weekly experiments, Swanson said, making a solar oven and balloon car truly excited her. “The kids are exposed to variety of art forms (watercolors, Batik, modeling clay, sketching, and sewing) with authentic artists which is invaluable. In addition to Wednesdays, enriching field trips with the Tinkerbus have been family- friendly and lots of fun. Fiddlehead is a highlight of our week.”
Nature bracelet craft at Fiddlehead. courtesy photo/ Suzanne Drown Trout
STEAM Wednesdays for Homeschoolers runs every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents can choose to sign up for the entire semester or opt for a drop-in basis.
In addition to the homeschool program, Fiddlehead offers STEAM-centered after-school programming Monday-Friday from 3:30 to 6 p.m., which includes open outdoor play, snack time and a STEAM-based project activity. For more information and enrollment, visit www.fiddleheadscarborough.org/home-school-tween-classes.
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