Our Mission in STEM is STEAM
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is an education framework that fosters the study of these subjects and their relation to each other in a rapidly changing world—helping students develop reality-based lifelong learning skills. Adding Art (turning STEM to STEAM), provides an education structure that truly touches all students. This means learning and using the idea that “Science and Technology are interpreted through Engineering and the (social, language, physical, musical and fine) Arts, all based in elements of Mathematics.”
Great scientists, like artists, need to be builders, inventors, and dreamers—like Leonardo da Vinci, who was a great scientist as well as an amazing artist. Research shows that the combination of STEM with Art is not as rare in individuals as you might imagine. Scientists who have won the Nobel Prize are 17 times more likely than the average scientist to also be a painter, 12 times as likely to be a poet, and four times as likely to be a musician. There is something about having an artistic side that enhances success in STEM fields. Expression through art encourages creativity, play and innovation—all traits needed to achieve scientific breakthroughs.
There is a strong connection between art and science, as both inspire and demand creative thinking. Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space, once said, “The difference between science and the arts is not that they are different sides of the same coin...or even different parts of the same continuum, but, rather, they are manifestations of the same thing. The arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity.”
Adding Art is not about spending less time on STEM; it is about using Art to inject a sense of play and spark the imagination of students which encourages creative thinking and innovative interpretations. Exploring use of the full spectrum of liberal arts – including language, social studies, performance art, fine art, music, and design – can provide young people with new and imaginative opportunities for communication and expression. How can a new design be presented? What is the best way to communicate a finding or discovery? How can a prototype be built? The creative processes behind Art are used to drive innovation and find inventive solutions to problems. The addition of art themes inspires young people to be creative and communicate their ideas and findings.
The Society, Incorporated believes that Art can serve as a pathway to STEM for traditionally underrepresented students, in addition to inspiring non-science professionals to add STEM to their curriculum. We know that not everyone fits the profile of a traditional scientist, but today’s STEM careers are varied and wide-ranging, requiring creative thought in addition to technical understanding. Changing STEM to STEAM motivates students toward not only success in STEM, but in learning the creative skills they need for successful careers in the 21st century.
Our chapters will be furthering the STEAM mission with the communities and students they serve.