After years of promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) educational programs, many teachers are finding that by adding an “A” — for ART — student learning will take on STEAM! This latest understanding of how students learn is changing science education by adding arts education back into the mix. This integrated education approach is developing a proven track record and is being incorporated into public, private, and homeschool education.
At its inception, the STEM bill authorized more than $150 million to help students earn bachelor’s degrees and teaching credentials. It also provided millions in additional money to help align K-12 math and science curricula to better prepare students for college.
Now, years later, people are asking questions like: Why are math and science seen as separate modalities? Why have so many schools removed arts education from their curriculum?
For too long, we have mistakenly believed that science and art education were separate disciplines requiring different teaching methods. However, we now know that science and art, just like math and music, are inextricably linked!
Educational researchers are recognizing that it is important to integrate all modalities into STEM lessons. By extensively using an integrated education curriculum, students can see how science education matters to aspects of everyday life. Integrated education also provides the opportunity to apply knowledge from math and science education in the real world.
Using art as the glue that binds these modalities together shows students how form and function are guiding principles. Art is not merely illustrative or decorative, but represents an essential part of the research process, such as problem finding, problem solving, and communication.
The fervor that drives people to excel in math and science education or engineering and art education is driven by the same desire: the desire to discover the intricacies and beauty of the world and one’s chosen work. In addition, art is also integrated into technologies such as engineering in the “form and function” debate. Does form follow function or function follows form? Either way, the two are fundamentally linked. Automobiles are a perfect example: from Ford’s Model T to the latest concept car, we’ve seen that the evolution of technology is as much about the aesthetics (form) of the product as it is about functionality.
Many of the fundamental concepts of form and function are the same. Relationships of line, form, color, structure/function, as well as perspective, pattern, and sequence are the language of art and science education. Students creating “an artistic representation of their ideas and solutions is a valuable way to make learning personal. This allows for a clear understanding of the underpinnings of scientific principles and how these principles can be extrapolated to solve existing problems. shown that students who previously struggled in STEM classes are quickly picking up STEAM!