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What is STEAM?

How STEAM can help you at school and in the future

Aug 29, 2019

Have you ever wondered if you could help solve the climate-change crisis?  Or come up with an invention that helps millions of people?  Or is as famous as the iPhone?  STEAM is a way of learning that encourages kids to become our future’s leaders!  It’s changing schools across the country, helping kids like you to figure out how to use your talents for the jobs of tomorrow.  Short for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, STEAM allows you the freedom to apply these subjects to real-world situations.  In short, it removes limitations and encourages you to think more critically and creatively.    

Find out how STEAM is helping students all across the country.Find out how STEAM is helping students all across the country.

STEAM vs. STEM

Initially, the A in STEAM was left out, before the Arts component was added to the mix.  Focusing on a more in-depth knowledge of science and math, students in STEM programs receive benefits like access to mobile devices and computer labs, after-school clubs, robotics programs, and more hands-on exploration.  STEAM takes it all a step further and makes connections between the different subjects.  Adding art, design, and creativity to science, technology, engineering and math can help you to not just learn facts, but to understand issues.  It allows you to explore deeper questions with no right or wrong answers. 

Here are some specific ways STEAM can help you learn:

STEAM takes the stuff you've learned and shows you how to use it in the real world.STEAM takes the stuff you've learned and shows you how to use it in the real world.

Failure can bring success.

With STEAM programs, you experiment and test possible solutions to real-world problems with no pressure to get it right all the time.  The mistakes you make can help you come up with the right solutions.  Education is thought of more like a journey—The end result isn’t the only important part;  The process that got you there is important too.

STEAM is a way of learning that encourages kids to become our future’s leaders.STEAM is a way of learning that encourages kids to become our future’s leaders.

You can be independent.

With STEAM, you can learn at your own pace.  You can work as part of a team or work alone.  You can freely explore new topics or ways of thinking without being limited to just finding answers.  This way of learning keeps things more focused on your own interests.

It can help you with your grades. 

Not a math-lover?  Art can help you understand math and science better.  The opposite is also true:  Students also find out how to use the arts together with math and science in new ways.  If you don’t think you’re very creative, STEAM can help you find your inner creativity.   In addition, if you like both math and art, you don’t have to choose to focus on one or the other.  With STEAM, you can learn how they fit together. 

Adding art, design, and creativity to science, technology, engineering and math can help you to not just learn facts, but to understand issues. Adding art, design, and creativity to science, technology, engineering and math can help you to not just learn facts, but to understand issues.

You can get your hands dirty. 

STEAM requires you to get down-and-dirty with hands-on learning.  You won’t be sitting at a desk every day—you’ll be working on projects that interest you.

It can you solve problems better.

STEAM-based learning uses a problem-solving approach.  Learning this way can help you think about things in new ways, improving your critical thinking skills.  These are skills that can help you better solve problems in other areas of your life. 

STEAM allows you to explore deeper questions with no right or wrong answers.STEAM allows you to explore deeper questions with no right or wrong answers.

It helps you see the big picture.

Have you ever wondered how algebra or geometry will help you when you get older?  Have you ever wondered how a website is made?  STEAM takes the stuff you’ve learned and shows you how it’s used in the world.  As a result, you’ll probably get a better appreciation for what you’re learning.  You might even be more motivated to learn after knowing how math, science and the arts work together.

STEAM adds art, design and creativity to science, technology, engineering and math.STEAM adds art, design and creativity to science, technology, engineering and math.

American schools are using STEAM-based learning more than ever because it helps prepare our country for the jobs and issues facing us in the future.  It’s a win for students as well!  It can take school from ho-hum learning to a place to explore possibilities without limits, while helping you become the best you can be.  Ask a teacher or parent about STEAM classes in your school!

Share With Kidzworld

Have you ever heard of STEAM?  Do you know if you have STEAM programs in your school?  Are you participating in STEAM programs?   Tell Kidzworld about it!