Igniting Young Minds with the Ardagh Group sponsored STEM Education Programs

Thanks to the generous support of the Ardagh Group, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, St. Ignatius School (SIS) empowers the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers by partnering with Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a leading provider of a hands-on, real-world STEM curriculum. As a result, SIS students across all grades are gaining invaluable skills and knowledge in robotics, automation, and environmental sustainability.

Planting the Seeds of Environmental Stewardship

All SIS sixth graders delve into the “Energy and Environment” unit, exploring sustainable solutions and their impact on the planet. “Our students are hearing constant calls to ‘care for our common home,'” says STEM teacher Fredy Taveras. “This PLTW unit perfectly complements that message, encouraging them to think critically about their own energy consumption and its broader consequences.”

Taveras shares inspiring student anecdotes: “One student initially doubted their individual impact, but learning about energy transfer empowered them to believe otherwise. Another student found personal motivation in reducing pollution, given the ongoing pollution challenges in Hunts Point. This program fosters a genuine understanding of environmental responsibility, empowering students to become active change agents.

This unit embodies the Jesuits’ Universal Apostolic Preference of collaborating for the care of our common home, in line with Pope Francis’ encyclical letter ‘Laudato Si’. As a Jesuit school, we take it upon ourselves to play an active role in addressing the environmental challenges our world and community face. Through this unit, our students can delve into sustainable solutions to help protect our environment. Moreover, this program inspires our students to explore STEM and environmental sustainability as potential career paths.

Building Tech-Savvy Leaders

Last spring, the “Automation and Robotics” unit ignited the passion of 17 eighth graders. STEM teacher Mashell Harris highlights the program’s transformative power: “Hands-on experiences solidify learning,” he explains. “PLTW excels at this, equipping students with practical skills and knowledge, especially in coding, which is crucial in today’s technological landscape.”

Harris recounts the strong enthusiasm from SIS students: “They loved the challenge of learning new programming languages, realizing the importance of communication and code within devices and components. Witnessing their engagement and excitement was truly inspiring.” By equipping students with coding skills, this program sets them on a path to future success in multiple fields.

Randy P. (SIS ‘20 and Xavier H.S. ‘24) credits the robotics unit for igniting his passion for computer science. “If I were to look back on what started my passion for computer science it all started with SIS. The unit challenged me to be comfortable with trial and error, and those moments when I finally figured it out were the most satisfying,” he recalls. Randy’s story is a testament to the transformative power of hands-on STEM experiences, which equip students with practical skills and inspire them to pursue future careers in the field.

Thanks to the ongoing support of the Ardagh Group, we are excited to continue to offer more PLTW STEM units this school year and connect our teachers and students to hands-on, real-world learning and career pathways in STEM and advanced manufacturing.  

Investing in the Future

St. Ignatius School’s commitment to PLTW programs fosters a love for STEM learning, preparing students to thrive in a technology-driven world. Whether understanding sustainable solutions or developing valuable coding skills, these programs ignite curiosity, build problem-solving skills, and empower students to become confident, innovative leaders.

Head of School, Rich Darrell, emphasizes the exposure to diverse STEM fields: “By showcasing various challenges these fields address, PLTW opens our students’ eyes to a vast array of career possibilities. Witnessing these connections allows students to dream bigger and envision themselves actively contributing to solving real-world problems.” We are fortunate to have corporate partners like Ardagh who share our vision of promoting STEM education and empowering students to become changemakers and problem solvers.