Art + STEM = STEAM?

In recent months, there have been numerous articles about incorporating the arts into Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education. It is an old concept that has gained new life as educators, policymakers, and the corporate sector grapple with how to prepare students for a 21st century world, knowledgeable about current technologies and issues, and yet innovative and flexible enough in their thinking to deal creatively with future unknowns.

In 2002, astronaut and scientist Mae Jemison spoke on the subject, using her own life experiences to highlight why teaching art and science together are so important. And in 2004-2005, NPR hosted a series on Where Science Meets Art that showcased how people often do merge STEM and art quite naturally.

Even as there appears to be a new wave of interest in more proactively incorporating the arts into STEM, there are some organizations already at work making the connection real for young people. STEM-A is a nonprofit implementing STEM education "by creating a space for students to explore and experiment in real-time learning situations." Find out what other educators are doing in this NSTA story.


Image: Studies of Water Passing Obstacles and Falling by Leonardo Da Vinci