Some people might remain unconvinced that STEAM can really benefit students. After all, students take art classes along with math and science, so why do these subjects need to be integrated?
For starters, because the world is continuously changing, it stands to reason that education should change right along with it to meet the needs of new generations. It can be argued that students today are already far more tech-savvy than previous generations. They stream entertainment online, read books on a screen and give voice commands to digital assistants.
But something might be lost in all that technological innovation — the search for a higher truth and genuine human connection and experiences. Artistry and beauty, when integrated with STEM curricula, have the potential to speak to students on a deeper, more meaningful level.
Students who are engaged in the classroom are typically active participants in their own education, taking ownership of their learning activities and experiences. An engaged student is one who is interested in the learning material and lessons, and who feels motivated to pursue academic excellence. Yet, school engagement has dropped.3
With students, particularly teens, losing interest in school, STEAM education may be one solution. This is because hands-on STEAM projects encourage students to take ownership of their educational activities and empower them to exercise their own creative control. In addition, STEAM allows for a highly personalized learning experience, which means students can pursue projects that truly interest them.4 Starting STEAM education in the early years of elementary school may help spark curiosity and help build a foundation of interest in these subjects, fostering long-term engagement as students grow.
Students often work on STEAM projects in groups, which can help teach them about collaboration and teamwork. During a group project, students may brainstorm any number of ideas or solutions to a challenge, which introduces them to a range of diverse perspectives.5
Beyond diverse perspectives on educational topics, STEAM projects can also encourage cultural competence by facilitating the collaboration of diverse team members.4 Exposure to peers from all walks of life may encourage students to be more respectful of others and accepting of differences and enable them to understand that each person has something of value to offer. For elementary students, this might involve collaborating on a community garden project, where they share ideas and learn from each other's diverse experiences.
