By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

PONTIAC – Grade school District 429 is one of the many school districts across the nation to capitalize on the STEAM initiative for students looking into careers or building skill sets in science, technology, engineering, art and math.

With consideration to the program, District 429 is currently in the process of adding multiple activities specific to the program’s core subjects.

Superintendent Brian Dukes said among the various projects being spearheaded under the new initiative, one he’s very excited about helps track students’ health.

“It’s just really exciting that we have one teacher over at our junior high testing a classroom,” said Dukes. “Basically it projects up there, of where the kid’s heartrate is, it talks about their step count. And then it gives the parent and the student a day-to-day feedback of how the kid did in PE that day. Really just being able to evaluate were they engaged in that lesson and the activity that we’re doing.”

Dukes was a guest on a recent community forum in Pontiac, where he outlined other new classes and projects.

Cynthia Grau can be reached at [email protected].