Art Department
The Arts Department of MSTA is dedicated to nurturing critical thinking and visual literacy through an engaging and supportive environment. Our curriculum is designed to foster independence through differentiated and self-directed work. We develop a lifelong desire to learn, explore, create and invent. We encourage students to experiment, persevere and arrive at their own unique solution while promoting skill building, discovery, and innovation. Working in a collaborative peer-learning environment, students develop creative problem solving skills, self-expression, and visual literacy.
“Arts education provides every student opportunities to develop the global 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and problem solving. ...arts education provides richness and complexity to learning by engaging students in the study of artistic processes, the construction of knowledge, and critical reflection.”
— National Art Education Association
ELA Department
The critical work of the English Language Arts Department is to provide a foundation for the students it serves to develop essential skills and knowledge that allow them to communicate effectively in the real world. To reach our goal, effective teachers will provide consistent rigorous instruction through the use of relevant standards-based curricula. The ability to read, write, and think critically are at the core of what we do. Therefore, we provide opportunities for deep and thoughtful engagement with high-quality literary and informational texts that build knowledge and enlarge experiences so the students at MSTA are college and career ready.
Health Department
The MSTA Health Department strives to provide students with knowledge for a happy and healthy life. Educators follow the requirements for the New York State Learning Standards, as well as, the National Health Education Standards and National Sexuality Education Standards. At MSTA, teachers of health education use a standards-aligned curriculum and provide a safe and supportive environment for students to be able to learn:
• social and emotional skills, including how to prevent bullying.
• about their growth, their development, and their identity.
• how to stay healthy and fit, both physically and mentally.
• how to create a safe and healthy environment.
• about their personal health and safety, including how to find the health services and
information they need.
• how to prevent disease and illness, including HIV/AIDS**
• how to avoid health risks like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.
**Students in grade six must have five HIV/AIDS classes per year and students in grades seven and eight must six HIV/AIDS classes per year.
If you have any questions or concerns, or need additional information, please ask Dr. Shelton, Mr. Ludwin or Ms. Ogbebor.
Mathematics Department
The School of Math, Science and Technology through the Arts (MSTA - IS318) Mathematics Department provides rigorous mathematical instruction suitable to each student’s level of ability. We incorporate real world applications and technology to enhance the learning experience and to foster a deeper understanding of the material being taught. We actively encourage students to think critically and to approach each problem arithmetically, analytically, graphically, and verbally.
MSTA - IS318 Math Department have begun the implementation of a new Mathematics Curriculum Eureka. 8th grade math and Algebra 1 have been combined to provide the opportunity for our 8th graders to take the June Algebra 1 Regents. Students will learn the entire Common Core Algebra 1 curriculum within one year, as well as 8th grade common core standards. This will allow students to go deeper into these algebraic topics that will enhance their high school trajectory in mathematics class.
The Math Department looks forward to another wonderful year at MSTA-IS318. We strive to see our students succeed in mathematics, so please do not hesitate to contact individual teachers if you have any questions or concerns. Have a wonderful 2019-2020 school year!
Physical Education Department
The mission of the MSTA Physical Education program is to educate minds, develop healthy bodies, and promote positive attitudes towards lifetime physical activity, fitness, and sports skills. The MSTA Physical Education Curriculum is a sequential educational program. It is based on physical activities undertaken in an active, caring, supportive, and safe atmosphere in which every student is challenged and aiming to be successful. We aim to provide every student at MSTA with a wide variety of physical activities that will contribute to the development of their physical, cognitive, and affective well-being. Ultimately students at MSTA will be provided with the foundation for making informed decisions that will empower them to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Science Department
The School of Mathematics, Science and Technology through the Arts (MSTA-IS318) science department educational objective is to educate our student population in a broad spectrum of scientific content and ensure they are prepared for the demands of the emerging fields of science and technology in the 21st century. It is our goal to teach students to think scientifically using our new curriculum Amplify.
MSTA Science Department wants to impact student curiosity and science literacy through the various hands on activities and labs planned for our student population. Our students will engage in data analysis projects, experimental design planning, technology and engineering applications, and critical-thinking problem-based learning; in both a group and individual environment. Our Science teachers are motivated to challenge our students to achieve academic success and preparing our 6th and 7th grades for the Living Environment Regents in 8th grade. It is our hope that the knowledge our students gain expands their Science interest to pursue careers within the field.
The Science Department looks forward to another wonderful year at MSTA-IS318. We strive to see our students succeed in science, so please do not hesitate to contact individual teachers if you have any questions or concerns. Have a wonderful 2019-2020 school year!
Social Studies Department
The MSTA Social Studies Department encourages students to make sense of the world in which they live. MSTA students make connections between major historical ideas and their own lives and see themselves as active members of a global community. Our goal is to provide students with knowledge of historical content, while also encouraging their historical thinking. Our department challenges students to think like historians and encourages them to raise questions, think critically, consider many perspectives, and gather evidence in support of their interpretations. Our department strives to use a historical themes based approach to show students how the past and present are connected. These real-world skills will serve students well as citizens, and promote their active participation in our country’s democracy.