How an 11th-Grade Teacher blends STEM and Art

Art is art, STEM is STEM, and the two don’t really connect, correct? No, incorrect, because art and technology come together when students study computer graphics!

That explains why Mrs. Catalone, an 11th-grade high school science teacher at St Marys Area High School
in Saint Marys, Pennsylvania, wanted to empower her students with Adobe Creative Cloud’s Student and Teacher Edition. It’s a graphics software package that lets students’ creativity soar by completing computer art projects.

Mrs. Catalone explains . . .

“My students love to create projects that allow them to show off their imagination and creativity. I work with the students in my STEM class to provide the opportunity to explore various areas of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. My students are very inquisitive and love to learn and solve the challenges given to them. I try to provide each and every student with the opportunity to explore areas in STEM that interest them. Providing them with this customized opportunity makes them truly enjoy their learning experience!”

What kind of projects have Mrs. Catalone’s students completed so far?

One student completely recolored everything in a photograph of a young woman, changing the color of the shirt she was wearing, and more. Another student created a beautiful brochure for an online flower shop. And those are only two of the many creative projects students are completing on Adobe Creative Cloud.

They can do them because Mrs. Catalone posted her need for the Adobe software as a project request on DonorsChoose.com. And now, thanks to funding from the Student Research Foundation and other donors, her students are using Creative Cloud to learn computer graphics and design.

Mrs. Catalone Expresses Her Appreciation

Dear Student Research Foundation,

Thank you again for providing my students with resources that they can use to learn about photo editing, graphic design, and page design. The students started the year off learning to use Photoshop and are now trying out some applications in the Adobe Creative Cloud package.

The students have been creating some great projects. They get so excited using this software and the possibilities are endless with it. I am very grateful for the continuous generosity of donors like you in helping my classroom learn and grow!

With gratitude,
Mrs. Catalone

We look forward to writing about additional DonorsChoose.org teacher projects here on the Student Research Foundation blog. Stay tuned!

We invite all students to explore their career options by participating in our career and college studies. Students who complete the free career test for high school students will receive information on college and career opportunities which match their interests.