Combining art with courses surrounding STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — isn’t a new concept for Keith Rosko.

The Chenango Forks High School art teacher would argue that engineers, medical technicians and healthcare employees have been artists all along, although they might not realize it.

“Think if you’re an engineer building a helicopter. You don’t only need to know how it flies, but you need to understand how all the bits and pieces will fit and work,” said Rosko, of Greene. “There’s design in terms of integration, not just graphic design or the traditional styles of art.”

The Chenango Forks Central School District has made a point to emphasize STEAM — a phrase literally and academically integrating arts with STEM classes — in its curriculum. Chenango Forks’ efforts, according to two New York State education organizations, has paid off.

On Oct. 1, officials from the SUNY Polytechnic Institute and the New York State School Board Association recognized Chenango Forks and two other districts as trailblazers for unique approaches to STEM programs through the “Be the Change for Kids” Innovation Award. The three districts were among 42 applicants for the award, which is in its third consecutive year.

The main driver that landed Chenango Forks in the trio of winners is its STEAM Academy, a program that pairs high school juniors and seniors with for-credit internships with companies related to what the students are learning in their STEAM curriculum. High school Principal John Hillis said there are 15 students in the academy, and they are planning on including as many as 20 students in the spring.

Throughout the school year, students will spend hours with local companies such as WSKG Public Broadcasting, Keystone Associates Architects and Raymond Corporation.

“Our plan is to let kids go into the STEAM Academy, integrate them with local companies, and keep our best and brightest students in the area after graduation,” said district Superintendent Joe Peck.

Peck said the district is planning on expanding how it delivers STEAM concepts to its students. Discussions with Rochester Institute of Technology educators are the first steps in launching the district’s Project Lead The Way program, which awards students who pass science, technology, engineering and math courses with college credits. A proposed capital project for the district could build up a STEAM-specific wing in the high school, Peck said.

This past summer, Chenango Forks was also one of the participating districts in the STEAM Summer Academy, which brought rising ninth-graders from Chenango Forks, Chenango Valley and Whitney Point school districts together for a four-week summer program of project-based learning.

The state award comes with a $5,000 check, which Peck said most likely go toward equipment.

The other two districts recognized were the Mineola Union Free School District in Nassau County, and Saratoga County’s Saratoga Springs City School District.

“(The award) is a huge validation for me,” Rosko said. “Everyone is so STEM oriented now and we’re stepping ahead of that.”

Follow Sara Tracey on Twitter @PSBTracey.

Press & Sun Bulletin: Chenango Forks wins state award for art, STEM combo