St. Martin Parish: Louisiana A+ Schools at LSU Ignite Arts Integration in STEAM Academies
March 26, 2025
In the heart of St. Martin Parish, a transformative collaboration between LSU’s College of Human Sciences and Education and two local schools is bringing creativity, curiosity, and innovation into the classroom.
In 2024, St. Martin Early STEAM Academy and St. Martin STEAM Academy began their journey with Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+), a program of LSU that equips educators across Louisiana with research-based professional development in arts integration.
This inaugural year began with a powerful 5-day summer institute where educators engaged in immersive arts-based training, laying the groundwork for student-centered, arts-integrated instruction. Building on this foundation, the LAA+ completed classroom observations and personalized coaching sessions with St. Martin teachers, designed to elevate instructional practices by merging academic content with visual arts, music, theatre, and dance.
Paintings to express science concepts.
Throughout the fall of 2024, more than 60 educators were observed across both campuses. The lessons featured students building puppets to explore story elements, dancing to understand animal movement, painting to express science concepts, and performing theatrical tableau to reenact historical events. Teachers not only brought curriculum to life through the arts, but they also strengthened student engagement, creativity, and collaboration.
Educators engaging in immersive training.
By January 2025, the momentum culminated in a Spring Professional Development Day, where each campus tailored learning around their needs. At St. Martin Early STEAM Academy, teachers dove deeper into theatre-based strategies, puppetry, and photography, connecting arts to inferencing in literacy. Meanwhile, St. Martin STEAM Academy educators explored the elements of visual art through Mardi Gras mask-making and brought Louisiana’s rich culture and festival history to life through engaging visual art projects.
This partnership has not only enhanced instructional quality but has cultivated joyful learning environments and empowered teachers with tools to reach all learners. As the schools prepare for their second year in the LAA+ network, LSU’s impact is evident: transforming education through the arts, one classroom at a time. Why? Because we are CHANGEMAKERS!
“Teachers are working smarter, not harder, and making connections through students’ experiences. Students are creating independently and are genuinely interested in learning.” — Rachel Lock, LAA+ Observer
From lesson planning to classroom culture, the success in St. Martin Parish reflects LSU’s enduring commitment to educational excellence and innovation across Louisiana.
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