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Photo credit: Lilian F Norris
Often overlooked and underfunded, art remains a very important component to education. Studies have shown how art can not only help connect dots, but improve academic performance, keep kids engaged, and even keep students from dropping out. In addition, its integration into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs helps to develop well-rounded individuals. Incorporating the arts with STEM to spark creativity and fuel ingenuity and invention is what is needed to leap technology forward in hopes of finding sustainable solutions to problems now and in the future.
"Study of horse" and "Design for a Flying Machine" by Leonardo da Vinci from Wikimedia Commons.
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Through art, students can become better observers of the world around them. It allows them to become better communicators; and in terms of engineering and design, it allows visualization of ideas. Remember one of the greats: Leonardo da Vinci, who seamlessly blended art, science, and invention. |
Some believe that adding the arts to STEM can “water down” the STEM program. On the other hand, adding the arts can infuse STEM with more powerful connections; thereby thickening and enriching it. If used strategically in a well-integrated program, it can deliver so much more to the broadly diverse universe of learners and "turn on light switches" within the recesses of their brains.
In total support of STEM, we need more people who have the capacity to understand science in this ever-growing, high-tech world. However, we need more people who can communicate effectively to connect the dots of vague, abstract ideas to materialize them into visual representations and models that the mainstream can understand. STEAM has the power to illuminate minds of not only students, but once applied by those students, can transform and enlighten the general population.
With new technological tools like 3D printers, more access to maker spaces, and more access to coding programs where learners can create apps and virtual models, there are increasingly more possibilities to excite kids creatively from STEM to STEAM. These tech resources challenge students to blend their artistic creativity with knowledge of science, engineering, and math.
In the two infographics below, the University of Florida illustrates STEM vs. STEAM.
In total support of STEM, we need more people who have the capacity to understand science in this ever-growing, high-tech world. However, we need more people who can communicate effectively to connect the dots of vague, abstract ideas to materialize them into visual representations and models that the mainstream can understand. STEAM has the power to illuminate minds of not only students, but once applied by those students, can transform and enlighten the general population.
With new technological tools like 3D printers, more access to maker spaces, and more access to coding programs where learners can create apps and virtual models, there are increasingly more possibilities to excite kids creatively from STEM to STEAM. These tech resources challenge students to blend their artistic creativity with knowledge of science, engineering, and math.
In the two infographics below, the University of Florida illustrates STEM vs. STEAM.
Source: University of Florida
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Source: University of Florida
Would you like to read more about STEAM?
Check out these articles:
Check out these articles:
- FULL STEAM AHEAD by Rebecca Hill in Parent Guide News
- STEAM Rising Why we need to put the arts into STEM education by Anna Feldman in Future Tense - Slate Magazine