From Belfry to Bosnia: Students use Skype to learn about STEAM and culture

Some teachers at Belfry High School are instructing in a unique way.

Students are learning science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, also known as "STEAM".

Through Skype calls with a school in Bosnia, students show off the skills they are learning while Bosnian students ask questions.

The Kiseljak Elementary School is located in the city of Tuzla within the country of Bosnia Herzegovina.

The project aims to provide a holistic approach to education.

Colonel Don Amburn and Doctor Haridas Chandran at Belfry High School reached out to Mr. Edim Hajdarbegovic the Professor of Mathematics and Information Science of the Kiseljak school in Bosnia.

From 2000 to 2001, Amburn served with Professor Hajdarbegovic in his role as an interpreter for the U.S. Army.

Amburn told WYMT, Professor Hajdarbegovic was recently recognized as one of the top ten innovative teachers in Bosnia.

At this time, Hajdarbegovic is the only qualified and trained teacher in that country to teach STEAM.

Colonel Don Amburn says this is a great opportunity to expose the students to different cultures.

"It gives our students the opportunity to meet someone from a different culture, an entirely different culture of their own and in a part of the world they would have never been exposed to and vice versa to the kids in Bosnia," explained Colonel Amburn.

The Colonel says he hopes to keep the program going for years to come.