You鈥檙e familiar with the term STEM education. It stands for 鈥渟cience, technology, engineering and math鈥� and it鈥檚 been a buzzword in education for several years. But a new term is now making the rounds, and it鈥檚 eerily similar: STEAM.
So what is STEAM, exactly? It鈥檚 essentially just a progression of the original acronym, adding one additional element: Art. You may be curious as to why this discipline is being added to the mix.
Keep reading to understand the importance of art instruction, what led to this new movement in education and how educators can embrace this framework to benefit their students.
What is STEAM education?
With people changing jobs and even jumping careers more frequently than in past generations, a truly well-rounded educational background is essential. Whether your students pursue college or enter the workforce right away upon graduation, they will need the baseline skills to adapt to whatever their academic or professional careers require of them.
鈥淚ncorporating the A in STEAM鈥攁rt鈥攂rings in personal expression, empathy, meaning-making and the purpose of what you鈥檙e learning,鈥� explains Dr. Kristin Cook, associate dean of Bellarmine鈥檚 Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education and longtime science educator. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the humanizing piece of transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary instruction.鈥�
The STEAM framework brings the five disciplines together to create an inclusive learning environment that encourages all students to participate and contribute. This holistic approach encourages students to exercise both the left and right sides of their brains simultaneously.
Dr. Cook notes that all five elements of STEAM come together in a very human experience鈥攁n experience that includes not only the planet and the life on it, but also the humanity that fosters its preservation. 鈥淪TEAM involves personal problem solving for society and the human experience,鈥� she says, adding, 鈥渁nd the non-human experience as well鈥攖he plants, animals, environment.鈥�
Why is STEAM education important?
鈥淩esearch has shown the importance of the arts in appealing to a broader and diverse group of learners, and STEAM promotes organic problem-solving of real and complex problems,鈥� explains Dr. Cook. This all-inclusive method helps equip today鈥檚 students with the skills they need to join tomorrow鈥檚 workforce.
鈥淵oung learners may have not yet decided what path they want to follow, and it teaches them critical thinking across interdisciplinary boundaries,鈥� Dr. Cook adds.
Regardless of the industry or profession, employers are seeking well-rounded candidates who possess 21st century skills. Technology has started replacing a lot of repetitive, task-based work, meaning humans are left to take on the jobs that require creativity, critical thinking and collaboration 鈥� all of which are embedded into the STEAM education framework.
鈥淜ids are natural inquirers,鈥� Dr. Cook says. 鈥淪TEAM methods provide them a space where they can dive deeper into what they鈥檙e learning in the siloed disciplines.鈥�
What can you do to embrace STEAM education in your school?
It鈥檚 easy to understand how STEAM education can help prepare your students for a successful future, but how can you play a role in introducing this framework into your school? As a teacher leader who is devoted to providing the best possible outcomes for students in your district, the training starts with you.
You鈥檙e aware of the transformational power of education, which is why you鈥檙e inspired to advance your own education in order to help promote more significant changes in educating students for years to come. If you鈥檙e passionate about STEAM education, there are ways to acquire precise training for implementing and championing these methods on a greater scale.
农夫导航 has recognized the critical need for empowering teacher leaders to spearhead STEAM education initiatives in their schools. To address this gap, Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) students have the option of pursuing a STEAM Education Teacher Leader specialization, which prepares educators to implement and teach this method through transdisciplinary problem-solving.
The Teacher Leader MAEd is ideal for established teachers seeking to pursue a master鈥檚 degree or Rank I*, or for those seeking to meaningfully advance their careers. 鈥淭he STEAM specialization in particular will empower you to deepen students鈥� interests in science and mathematics as they forge their skills in integrated thinking and problem solving鈥攚hatever their age,鈥� explains Dr. Cook, a co-designer of the program.
As a K-12 educator enrolled in the program, you will engage with colleagues from a variety of disciplines as each of you works toward becoming a leader in your school. You can immediately apply your new knowledge and insights in your professional life, developing your capacity as a coach and mentor to colleagues and students.
What can you expect from a STEAM education program?
The STEAM Education Teacher Leader degree at 农夫导航 provides a solid foundation for experienced teachers to discern the most appropriate approaches for integrating arts with science and mathematics, infusing relevant and meaningful technology into instruction while adapting to the unique needs of students鈥� and communities.
The fully online format provides teachers the convenience of working through their coursework whenever and wherever, and can be completed in as few as 16 months. Successful STEAM Education candidates will complete a set of five core courses common to Bellarmine鈥檚 Teacher Leader programs (15 credit hours), four courses based in consistent and evidence-based approaches to teaching STEAM (12 credit hours), and a capstone experience (3 credit hours).
Take a closer look at the details of the .
Teacher Leader core course requirements:
- Research Methodology for School Leaders
- Teacher Leadership for Equity in Schools
- School Technology Leadership
- School Improvement through Assessment, Evaluation and Data Analysis
- Teacher Leadership for Communities of Practice
STEAM course requirements:
- STEAM Instructional Design and Tools
- Transdisciplinary Teaching through Steam
- Assessment in STEAM
- Professional Leadership in STEAM
While you鈥檒l have the freedom to work through the curriculum on your own schedule, you鈥檒l still have the support of cohort-based format, with your classmates with you every step of the way. You will study under professors and mentors from a variety of educational backgrounds and disciplines, consistent with the liberal arts and sciences tradition Bellarmine was founded upon.
Be a leader in STEAM education at your school
鈥淎ccess to high-quality STEAM instruction should be provided across all grades K-12,鈥� Dr. Cook believes. At 农夫导航, we鈥檙e determined to equip and empower leaders like you to help drive positive change in schools across the country.
With the MAEd in STEAM Education, you will have the opportunity to explore your own learning, leading your students as they take their next step. Take your next step. Be that teacher.
Learn more by visiting the Master of Arts in Education Online program page.
*Rank I in Kentucky is achieved when a teacher has completed 60 hours beyond the bachelor鈥檚 program.