What is STEM/STEAM
What is the meaning of STEM?
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. In the 2012 report Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education: A Primer, STEM education was defined as:
​
"Teaching and learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It typically includes educational
activities across all grade levels—from pre-school to post-doctorate—in both formal (e.g., classrooms) and informal
(e.g., afterschool programs) settings."
​
Educators focused on improving science and mathematics instruction employed several approaches to K-12 STEM education. For example, some teachers integrated project-based activities that demanded knowledge and skill-application in specific areas, such as engineering. In some instances, extracurricular activities, including team competitions in which students worked together (for example, to build robots or to mock-engineer cities), were added or expanded. Students also were given opportunities to spend time with professionals in STEM fields, either job-shadowing or working as interns. (Britannica.com)
​
STEM is a growing movement in education worldwide, not just in the United States. STEM-based learning programs aim to increase students' interest in pursuing higher education and careers in those fields. STEM education typically uses a model of blended learning that combines traditional classroom teaching with online learning and hands-on activities. This model aims to allow students to experience different ways of learning and problem-solving.
What Are the Benefits of STEM?
​
STEM has become a buzzword in education. Unfortunately, many people have a superficial understanding of STEM learning programs, but some grasp their impact on the bigger picture of education in the United States. STEM education modernizes the learning process for kids, bringing them up-to-speed on the skills and knowledge most relevant in today's society.
STEM initiatives emphasize inclusion, equality, and diversity to find and support talent. Diversity and inclusion boost innovation, creativity, productivity, and revenue in STEM fields.
Widespread STEM education helps people gain careers in computer networking, IT, and engineering. These jobs are in high demand, and STEM professionals are in short supply.
What is the meaning of STEAM?
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) is an offshoot of STEM that incorporates the arts to provide a more enriching educational focus. The idea is to integrate concepts with a real-world approach and create critical thinkers.
The STEAM movement is an answer to critics that feel STEM education doesn't adequately help children thrive because of its more limited focus. STEAM adds creativity and innovation to STEM and widens the learning pallet for children and young adults. It provides a blended learning environment that applies scientific thinking to all aspects of life.
By integrating the arts into STEM, STEAM-focused curricula incorporate the study of the humanities, language arts, dance, drama, music, visual arts, design, new media and more. Students who explore and master any of these subjects can make themselves more marketable in today’s workforce, as 57 percent of senior leaders value soft skills more than hard skills, according to a 2018 LinkedIn report. Furthermore, a 2019 LinkedIn report notes that creativity, persuasion and collaboration are the top three skills companies seek in prospective employees.
What is the difference between STEM and STEAM?
When looking at STEM vs. STEAM, the difference lies in the way they approach scientific concepts. STEM focuses explicitly on the hard scientific, technological, engineering or mathematical skills to drive progress or create a new concept. In STEAM curricula, per The Conversation, students leverage both hard and soft skills to solve problems. For example, STEAM encourages collaboration to understand a STEM concept. By integrating concepts and practices of the arts, STEAM uses tools such as data visualization or fine art imagery to deepen one’s understanding of science, math and technology. This kind of out-of-the-box thinking is what leads STEAM professionals to create new products using 3D printers or distill complicated data sets into easy-to-understand formats, such as infographics.