STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) is a scheme that has been promoted through primary schools, encouraging the study of scientific subjects from an early age (Stem, 2017). This, however, does not include the arts, and the arts and the other curricular areas “are taught in isolation from each other” (Abbs, 1987).
STEAM (science, technology, engineering and maths) is a newer scheme with the integration of the arts in STEM (Stemtosteam, 2017). Today, we were discussing the importance of highlighting the art and design subjects in partnership with STEM as they are not effective without the other.
I believe, that in today’s day and age, every single person should have the right to express their thoughts and feelings through whichever method suits them best. This includes in the classroom. Every child learns in a different way and this means the children that learn visually and in other ways. We live in the 21st century where the arts are a part of our everyday lives, and this should be embraced in schools for every single child, even those who don’t prefer it as much as others. The “investigation, adaptation and transformation” (Dixon and Chalmers, 1990) involved in a child’s creative journey, reflect skills used in subjects like maths or English and prove that the arts are equally important.
Abbs, P. (1987). Living Powers: The Arts In Education. London: Falmer Press.
Dixon, G.T and Chalmers, F.G. (1990) ‘The Expressive Arts In Education’, Childhood Education. pg 12.
Stem. (2017). STEM. [online] Available at: https://www.stem.org.uk/ [Accessed 19 Mar. 2017].
Stemtosteam. (2017). STEM to STEAM. [online] Available at: http://stemtosteam.org/ [Accessed 19 Mar. 2017].
YouTube. (2017). Integrating Art with STEM Education | Océane Boulais | TEDxBocaRaton. [online] Available at: https://youtu.be/DjpWQkmopgY [Accessed 19 Mar. 2017].
