STEAM learning

In the elementary classroom, art becomes the meeting place for all forms of knowing. When we approach learning through the lens of multiple intelligences, we see that students grasp ideas not just through words or numbers but through movement, image, rhythm, and making. Art naturally holds space for these varied ways of knowing, offering children the chance to connect mathematics to pattern, science to color and light, and language to symbol and story. This cross-disciplinary learning is at the heart of STEAM: it reminds us that subjects are not separate silos but part of a larger tapestry of meaning. Arts education, then, is not an “extra” but the connective thread that allows every child to engage their strengths while stretching toward new ways of thinking and creating.

What is STEAM?

Finding the Art in STEAM Education

STEAM education makes its focus the application of science, technology, engineering and math through art and design. Another way of looking at this is that STEAM educators can help students connect what they learn in these critical areas (STEM) with art practices and design elements. Ultimately, students should feel like they can wonder, critique, inquire and innovate.

Where did it come from?

In the early 1990's, an initiative to provide students with more opportunities in science, technology, engineers and math to keep up to the market demand. The goal of STEM was to better prepare students for the modern workplace.

 

A Brief History: STEM to STEAM

The term STEAM was coined by the Rhode Island School of Design and is now used in a wide variety of settings. The article “STEM to STEAM: Integrating the Arts into Education” goes on to explain how the goal of STEAM is to integrate the arts with the other disciplines. The hope is that employers will see how artists and designers can become innovative players in our global economy.

In “STEM vs. STEAM: Do the Arts Belong?” Anne Jolly shares some additional thoughts from an educator named Ruth Catchen, “According to Ruth, the arts are a great learning tool and can serve as an on-ramp to STEM for underrepresented students. Engaging students’ strengths using art activities increases motivation and the probability of STEM success.” (Source: The Art of Education University) .


What are the benefits?

  • It Encourages Independent Thinking
  • It Offers an Interdisciplinary Approach
  • It Utilizes Goal-Oriented Learning
  • It Develops Problem-Solving Skills
  • It Engages Real-World Applications
  • It Promotes Meaningful Collaboration
  • It exposes students to the creative process
  • It increases critical thinking
  • It gives all students hands-on leaning experiences
  • Shows students a different way to value the arts.

How? 

Follow this link to see more - Resources for STEAM

1. TCEA – Integrating Art into STEAM Lessons

Dr. Bruce Ellis breaks down why art is essential to STEAM and offers practical strategies to thoughtfully weave art into science, math, and engineering lessons. It’s a goldmine for candidates looking to spark creativity while reinforcing core concepts.
TCEA TechNotes Blog

2. Arts Integration & STEAM (ArtsIntegration.com)

This site is a powerhouse of resources for educators—offering lesson ideas, professional development, research, and the "Ultimate STEM to STEAM Guide." It also provides free toolkits, webinars, and access to national-level certifications for arts integration specialists.
Arts Integration Institute

3. TinkRworks

TinkRworks delivers hands-on, project-based STEAM curriculum for K–8, with a rich library of educator resources including lesson plans, makerspace ideas, webinars, and project support. It's especially useful for candidates aiming to bring real-world, hands-on STEAM into their classrooms.
Tinkrworks

Why These Matter for Your Practice

These resources offer bridges between theory and practice:

  • TCEA helps you understand why art matters in STEAM and offers creative activity ideas you can use right away.

  • ArtsIntegration.com supports your growth with structured professional learning and ongoing guidance for integrating arts throughout the curriculum.

  • TinkRworks gives you tangible, ready-made STEAM projects that sharpen 21st-century skills and inspire student engagement through hands-on making.

Discussion Prompt for Teacher Candidates

  1. Reflection on Integration
    Explore a lesson plan idea from one of these sites. How does it intertwine arts with another subject area such as math or science?

  2. Professional Development Value
    What kind of support (like certifications or workshops) might help you feel more confident integrating art into your lessons, and why?

  3. Hands-On Planning
    Choose one project from TinkRworks and imagine how you'd adapt it for your future elementary classroom. What adjustments (materials, pacing, scaffolding) would ensure it meets your students’ needs?