This session was all about STEM to STEAM as a student teacher I think that it is vitally important that I develop my understanding of these concepts as they will help when I create lessons for my classroom.

STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 

STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. 

Research has shown that children who have no opportunities to take part in the arts often struggle to turn their thoughts into language which is why there is a push for arts based approaches in learning.

The creators of Sesame Street have took on board the benefits of STEAM and now demonstrate it their segments with exciting games and learning tools.

Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, SVP of Education and Research at Sesame Workshop says “Incorporating the arts into our STEM curriculum was an exciting and natural addition, as Sesame Street has always used music, visual and performing arts as tools to educate and entertain children,”

http://www.sesamestreet.org/videos?vid=1791

This video link shows STEAM in practice – the Sesame Street characters use the arts to teach mathematics.

As a student teacher and reflecting on what I learned about STEAM today I am willing to give it a go in my placement. The benefits for using STEAM are immense and will create confident individuals, successful learners, responsible citizens, and effective contributors as detailed in the Curriculum for Excellence.

As well as learning about STEAM I had the opportunity to develop my concrete poetry piece. During this session I though of more words that came to mind when thinking about my evocative object and added them to my art piece.

 

 

 

 

References:

Education Scotland. (2017)  What is Curriculum for Excellence? [Online] Available: https://education.gov.scot/scottish-education-system/policy-for-scottish-education/policy-drivers/cfe-(building-from-the-statement-appendix-incl-btc1-5)/What%20is%20Curriculum%20for%20Excellence [Accessed: 01 March 2018].

Sesame Street. (2018) The Count Sings of 8.  [Online] Available: http://www.sesamestreet.org/videos?vid=1791 [Accessed: 01 March 2018].

STEAM. (2018) STEM to STEAM. [Online] Available: http://stemtosteam.org/ [Accessed: 01 March 2018].