THE POWER OF S.T.E.A.M.D.

S.T.E.A.M.D.

WHAT IS STEAMD?
S.T.E.A.M.D (STEAMD) is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Mathematics and Design as access points for guiding life long learning, human-centered inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.

STEAMD: A FORMULA FOR INNOVATION
STEAMD is an essential priority in global competitiveness in the 21st century. STEAMD equips people to participate in the global workforce. 

Read More About Future of Work Mandate >

WHY IS STEAMD IMPORTANT?
In today’s world, setting students up for future success means exposing them to these disciplines holistically in order to develop their critical thinking skills. “Education is under pressure to respond to a changing world,” education writer Jeevan Vasagar asserts in a Financial Times article. “As repetitive tasks are eroded by technology and outsourcing, the ability to solve novel problems has become increasingly vital.”

STEAMD is an educational discipline that aims to spark an interest and lifelong love of the arts and sciences in humans from an early age. S.T.E.A.M.D. empowers educators and human resources specialists to employ project-based learning that crosses each of the six disciplines and fosters an inclusive learning environment in which all students are able to engage and contribute. As opposed to traditional models of teaching, educators using the S.T.E.A.M.D framework bring the disciplines together, leveraging the synergy between the modeling process and math and science content, for example, in order to blur the boundaries between modeling techniques and scientific/mathematical thinking. Through this holistic approach, students are able to exercise both sides of their brain at once.

As opposed to traditional models of learning, educators using the STEAMD framework brings the disciplines together. Through this holistic approach, students are able to exercise both sides of their brain at once. We believe there is a dynamic synergy between the visual arts and the natural sciences. For example, science relies heavily on individuals with visual-art skills to render detailed illustrations, depicting everything from atoms to zebras. Likewise, artists apply analytic, linear and logical thinking to compose and scale their work of art. These parallel spaces of science and art are pulled toward each other by the education needs of the 21st century. The next generation of scientists will need to develop their communication skills through both traditional means of writing and speaking, as well as more artistic means including illustrating, animating, videography, cartooning and model design.

Beyond the classroom, both scientists and engineers use models — including sketches, diagrams, mathematical relationships, simulations and physical models — to make predictions about the likely behavior of a system. They also collect data to evaluate the predictions and possibly revise the model as a result. However, many engineers are not particularly comfortable with sketching; so connecting them with basic artistic and design skills through STEAMD, and equipping them to better “see” their ideas, can help them become better engineers.

STEAMD VS STEM PROGRAMS
From S.T.E.M. to S.T.E.A.M.D. is all about inclusive education innovation. When you add the Arts and Design to STEM education, you include a critical source of culture, creativity, and a freedom to express ideas and solve complex problems. 

Art, writing, dance, theater, music, film and entertainment provide a valuable cultural connection between past, current and generations. According to the World Economic Forum, the arts are a fundamental element of a healthy society that helps us interpret both the world and one another - particularly during periods when social contact might be limited to faces on a computer screen and streaming entertainment. Our understanding of the world, in turn, informs our decision-making - which makes the roles of artists critical to the future of work.

Design, Design Thinking, Design For Thinking and Doing, Cognitive Experience Design takes STEM and directs it into a diverse methodology, systematic approach that emphasizes inclusion, meeting human needs and centers ideas and technologies on people. Design gives STEM meaning and purpose with frameworks required to solve “wicked problems” like poverty, pandemics and the climate crisis.

HOW CAN STEAMD HELP FIGHT POVERTY AND OPEN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES?
The foundation of any prosperous society lies in providing accessible advancement opportunities for its citizens. For today’s students, hurdles abound, whether financial, cultural, or geographic. Our responsibility is to ensure all kids have access to the tools they need to secure sustainable, living-wage jobs. Not only does a S.T.E.A.M.D. framework teach students how to think critically, problem solve and use creativity, it prepares students to work in fields that are poised for growth. A report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth in STEM and S.T.E.A.M.D.-related occupations of 11% between now and 2029, compared to 3.4% for non-STEM occupations. It also lists median annual wages of $86,980 for STEM/S.T.E.A.M.D. jobs, compared to $39,810 for all occupations. Even for students who don’t choose a career in one of the STEM/STEAMD fields, the skills students gain from a S.T.E.A.M.D. education can be translated into almost any career and lead to higher long term earnings.

STEAMD RESOURCES, ACTIVITIES & LESSON PLANS

• Edutopia.org includes a collection of articles and videos including “The Art of Thinking Like a Scientist” and “STEM to STEAM: Art in K-12 is Key to Strong Economy.”
• Educationcloset.com (website of the Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM) offers a curated selection of STEM and STEAM articles, including lessons, apps, websites and more.
• The Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM offers a free “Ultimate STEAM Resource Pack”
• TechLearning.com offers “35 Resources for the STEAM Classroom: Putting the Arts in STEM.” This post suggests that Leonardo da Vinci was an early adopter of STEAM.
• ResilientEducator.com also publishes a comprehensive set of resources geared to “STEAM Teaching for Educators.”
• The STEAM Connection

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