The Importance of STEAM Education

drawing

The importance of STEAM education cannot be underestimated. Integrating arts subjects with technical and scientific ones is a pivotal reform.

Basic education in elementary and secondary schools is mainly about establishing a good foundation for higher learning and as preparation for work. Science courses, whether for purely academic or for practical purposes, require a strong foundation in science and mathematics.

However, modern real-world challenges require a new approach to education. This is especially true with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), but also because a combination of these subjects helps students learn future skills, such as problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking.

What is STEAM education and why is it important?

STEAM education is simply the integration of arts-based subjects in the STEM curriculum.

It seeks to merge the technical approach with the creative approach in instruction and learning. It’s an important approach that helps prepare students better for the real-world challenges that they will be facing in the workplace.

1. Coping with international standards

American educators and policymakers noticed in the early 1990s that the competency and performance of students in the elementary and high school levels have steadily declined versus other first-world countries. This is particularly true for science and mathematics subjects, as highlighted by results in international exams like the Programme for International Student Assessment, or PISA.

The US has shown mediocre performance among industrialized nations when it comes to science and mathematics subjects in basic education. To compensate for this, American educators and policymakers established the STEM curriculum. This is focused on integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Later on, the arts were integrated into the STEM curriculum.

2. Improving problem-solving skills

Thus, the STEAM curriculum was born. In this approach to education, the technical, mechanical, and algorithmic aspects of problem-solving are enhanced with the integration of arts as a creative approach.

Many real-world problems in science and technology require creative or out-of-the-box thinking. This is where humans have a great advantage. Our intuitive thinking can find shortcuts without the need for enumerating or specifying the steps on how a problem is solved. This allows for a faster pathway for arriving at solutions to problems.

In summary, STEAM education will help students in the following areas:

  • Devising novel solutions to problems
  • Having the freedom to be more expressive, creative, and innovative
  • Developing skills and competencies through hands-on learning
  • Taking ownership of their learning
  • Working in a collaborative instead of a competitive manner
  • Having deeper grasp on how various aspects of STEAM synergistically work together
  • Encouraging curiosity

Why STEAM is important to the future of education

STEAM is the future of education. It is an integrated strategy in instruction and learning. It is crucial as an adaptive approach in making students more prepared for the future.

The main objective of STEAM education is to encourage students to become innovators and not mere consumers and assemblers of technology. The core approach of this integrated curriculum encourages the development of coherent and cohesive skills. It is a holistic approach that empowers students to become more creative and innovative.

A significant paradigm shift in education is happening right now, albeit gradually. This shift is necessary to adapt to the challenges of the rapidly changing technological world that is automating many tasks, leading to the decline of various fields of work and types of jobs. The STEAM approach will help students to be more resilient to economic consequences of automation.

The STEAM education curriculum intends for students to become more adaptable in a highly competitive world. Aside from encouraging creativity and better communication skills, this type of learning encourages students to be more sociable and collaborative.

Future education should no longer be reliant on a one-size-fits-all paradigm. It should be more holistic, interactive, integrated, and multidisciplinary in its approach.

Careers in STEAM education

STEAM education leads to career paths that involve both technical know-how and creative impetus.

Some examples of career paths that a student can take include, but of course aren’t limited to, the following:

  • Mechanical and civil engineering
  • Architectecture
  • Website development
  • Computer programming
  • Urban planner
  • Landscape designer
  • Product designer
  • Practical special effects artist
  • Filmmaker

Why aren't our students taking careers in STEAM fields?

Although many STEAM-related careers are lucrative and highly in demand, many students shy away from pursuing such career paths.

The primary reason is the fact that many think that the subjects in the STEAM or STEM curriculum are difficult. This accounts for 52% of the American adults. Others think it is not relevant to their career goals (23%) and some just think that the subjects are boring (12%) - but we know better, of course!

Are you an educator looking for STEAM resources for middle school, high school or university? Take a look at Arduino Education kits and how they can support your hands-on STEAM lessons.