By Joëlle Walls
Published in GoSTEAM's A Program in Review 2018-2024
Lovejoy High School teachers Naseera Chong and Franklin Goodwin viewed GoSTEAM as an opportunity to deepen their understanding of STEAM instruction and enhance their teaching practices.
“It opened my mind to new possibilities in my classroom, moving beyond structured labs with predictable outcomes. This shift made science more exciting for my students, sparking their interest and growth,” said Chong, who teaches biology and serves as the science department chair. “GoSTEAM was so impactful that it inspired both my professional and personal growth. Now, through my involvement in curriculum writing, I can share these valuable ideas with other teachers and help them grow.”
“Participating in GoSTEAM was probably the best thing I’ve done because it opened my eyes to what teaching should be. It allowed me to get more creative with lessons, moving beyond just integrating technology,” Goodwin said. “As a social studies teacher, I found ways to make my teaching more interactive, deepening learning and creating authentic connections to the material. The program also fostered a sense of community and collaboration within our school—we truly became GoSTEAM inside the school.”
The school’s project-based learning initiative has focused on developing a mobile app highlighting Atlanta’s cultural renaissance mirroring the Harlem Renaissance—a 1920s movement celebrating African American art, music, and literature in Harlem, New York City.
This past year, first-time GoSTEAM innovator Jeremiah Long spearheaded a new focus on artificial intelligence (AI) in art, culminating in an art showcase with AI-generated pieces that included video montages, images for print, physical paintings, and branded items.
With a background in computer science, art, and film and TV production, Long specializes in next-generation educational programming on emerging technology through his non-profit organization. “Our project aimed to integrate various forms of expression—music, photos, video, dance, artistry, and graphic design—with emerging technology and AI,” Long said. “With many juniors and seniors participating, we connected these art mediums to career paths that the students explored through their individual projects ranging from AI animation and graphic design to art and fashion.”
As part of their research, the students learned about documenting art and technology from their visits to Peter’s Street Station, a multi-use art and community space in downtown Atlanta. Long noted the progression of one student’s aha moment after the field trip. “At our initial meeting, one student asked about AI and its purpose in our project. By the second session, he had piloted a fashion brand and created mockup assets, including T-shirt designs and a company logo,” Long said. “His interest in generative AI tools like Adobe Express led him to explore career paths blending creativity and technology. This experience not only sparked his passion for AI but also set him on a path to a promising career, showcasing the transformative power of combining art and technology.”
