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
