ASCENSION PARISH - It's full steam ahead for a new program that teaches math and science concepts through creative activities.

The program is known as STEAM, and the first schools to try it out are Spanish Lake and Prairieville Primary.

"It's hands on and it's discovery learning," said Britton Colon, principal of Spanish Lake Primary School.

For example, instead of sitting in a classroom with a pencil in hand, this afternoon students were outside pumping bike tires, and learning about force and motion.

It's too soon to tell just how effective the new program is, but school officials say a positive result can go a long way.

"We do know that by 2018, there will be 17,000 additional job openings in Louisiana in science, technology and engineering," said Jackie Tisdell, spokeswoman for Ascension Parish Schools, "so we do know that there is a very real need."

The STEAM program is currently only available at these two schools, but Tisdell says all schools have implemented similar concepts.