As the world has evolved so must our learning techniques and knowledge offerings. What was relevant a decade ago may not necessarily be equally relevant today. Change happens not just in the way we live but also in the way we think, learn and work. Recently, one of the most important changes has been observed in our education system.
Traditionally, our education gives strong emphasis on Science, Technology Engineering and Math, commonly called STEM education. While this has worked well in the past, sweeping changes in technology, fluid work environments and the rise of new-age professions have given a certain level of redundancy to STEM education.
Today we are desiring more from our educational framework and curriculum. That’s why the movement from STEM to STEAM.
STEM to STEAM Education
STEAM is an educational discipline that engages students in the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. The tenets of STEM have been retained and Arts has been added so as to provide a more holistic and collaborative approach to education.
With the addition of Arts, giving education a cultural edge, today’s students and tomorrow’s professionals have unlimited scope and flexibility. They can now explore opportunities that have arisen in today’s modern changing world, opportunities that have a greater degree of great socio-cultural resonance.
STEAM Approach to Education
STEAM-related fields are redefining educational priorities. Today we see global shortages in the skilled workforce, especially for new-age professions. Keeping this in mind, academic institutions are starting STEAM-based learning programmes to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the 21st century.
Positive STEAM learning outcomes will not only produce tomorrow’s designers and engineers; it will develop innovative mindsets and the ability to problem-solve, ensuring that today’s students become creators of technology, not just passive consumers.
The STEAM discipline allows students to leverage both hard and soft skills to solve problems. Collaboration, joint problem solving and a hands-on approach make the students connect with each other. This helps them work as an integrated unit with a single-minded focus on a common cause or issue.
Encouraging these collaborations amongst students gives them freedom and space to think laterally and progress in a manner that’s best suited for their capabilities and not get stuck in a conservative format of learning.
STEM Vs STEAM
It would not be correct to draw lines of comparison between the two disciplines. As STEAM is an advanced version of STEM, one can safely say that both old and new hold a relevant place in educational frameworks. However, with the addition of Art, we can see tremendous benefits that come from understanding and inculcating culture within this framework.
Benefits of Adding Art to STEM Learning
- Out-of-the-box thinking
- Empowered to express innovative and creative ideas
- Feels comfortable doing practical training and learning hands-on.
- Innovative and takes take ownership over their learning
- Works collaboratively and collectively with others
- Is curious to understand how science, math, arts, and technology can work together and what solutions can they provide
- A heightened sense of responsibility makes the STEAM students more aware and empowered to change the world for/ the better.
The benefits to students and the world from adopting STEAM education are vast and unlimited. With the new economy – whose foundations are knowledge and digitalization- newer skills, newer professions and new requirements will keep cropping up.
75% of today’s fast-growing careers require STEAM skills and 82% of today’s employees say they value STEAM skills, even if they are not required for the job. And we as a society should cater to these demands easily and successfully.
Even at the educational level, embracing STEAM-based curricula will promote an atmosphere of culture, democracy, critical thinking and integral development of human beings who are ready and fit to meet the needs and demands of our current and future society.
Smile Foundation and STEAM Learning
Smile Foundation realises that STEAM Learning envisions developing skills to innovate along with critical thinking and reasoning. We promote this through our national-level initiatives like Mission Education by conducting interactive workshops and providing training material pertaining to STEAM education.
