What is a STEAM education and why is important?
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) is a modern paradigm of studying, which stipulates a combination of natural sciences and engineering subjects into a single system. This model is based on an integrative approach: biology, physics, chemistry and mathematics are learnt in close connection in order to combat real technological obstacles. Under this model, students of best universities in the world obtain knowledge, allowing them to consider problems as a whole, and not in the context of a single field of science or technology.
The second core component of STEAM model is the project scientific work of students. This format stipulates a graduation project with an internship at a technology company. Students gain experience as close as possible to their future profession. At the same time, they work on a complex technological project in a team, developing their “flexible” skills.
The acronym STEAM was introduced by the staff of the US National Science Foundation to denote a new educational paradigm in 2001. By its launching, it was planned to provide the United States with highly qualified technical specialists for the development of science and industry.
STEAM education benefits – examples in real life
STEAM education helps to prepare valuable personnel for full-time work in technology companies immediately upon completing studies from university. Nowadays, graduates of STEAM program are the most in—demand employees in the international labor market. Based on analysts at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the next ten years, the shortage of STEAM personnel will outstrip other specialties by 76%. On average, 10 million people will be needed for the American market alone, while the shortage of personnel remains, despite the growth in the pace of studying.
The preparation and involvement of STEAM specialists is one of the key priorities of the US government. STEM students are given an extended visa for 36 months against the usual 12 months. At the same time, the median salary of a STEM specialist is more than twice the national average — $86,980 per year compared to $39,810 per year.
The main direction of development of leading companies is digitalization and data analysis. As a result, science needs information for everyone involved in the technology business. For example, in 2020, Chinese industrial enterprises received over $4 trillion in added value due to digital technologies. According to McKinsey, the implementation of Data Science methods in healthcare will save up to $450 million, or 17% of the country’s total budget.
Integrating STEAM in classrooms – features of studying
Under STEAM program, children collect the knowledge they need to realize and achieve their goals, knowledge that they learn to use immediately. Therefore, when they grow up and face life problems in the real world, be it environmental pollution or global climate change, they understand that such complex issues can only be solved by relying on knowledge from different fields and working together. Relying on knowledge of only one subject is not enough here. The STEAM approach is based on four principles:
1. The STEAM learning projects stipulate that children join groups to solve educational tasks together;
2. The practical nature of educational tasks, the result of which can be used for the needs of a family, class, school, university, enterprise, city, etc.;
3. The interdisciplinary nature of learning: educational tasks are designed in such a way that their solution requires the use of knowledge from several academic disciplines at once.
4. A wide choice of disciplines is provided. So, if you want to become an engineer or a specialist in applied scientific research, you can take high quality academic preparation. The subjects of the natural science cycle (physics, chemistry, biology), modern technologies and engineering disciplines are offered.
For example, at Washington Leadership Academy, all students take computer science, and creativity and imagination are just as integral to the program as learning how to code. Students can choose programs, concerning data science and web design in addition to courses in robotics, gaming, and art. As a result, students study the intersection of technology and public policy to not only learn how computers operate but how they impact society.
Conclusion
The STEAM approach is changing the way we look at education. Critical thinking and creativity in education are provided. By focusing on practical abilities, children develop their willpower, creativity, flexibility and learn how to cooperate with others. These skills and knowledge constitute the main educational task, i.e. what this entire education system is striving for.
The practice is a core element of STEAM approach. During classes, students engage on a totally different level, often making tasks more intensively. So, educational process stipulates in-depth studying. STEAM education forms a certain set of personality qualities, which include critical thinking, creative problem solving skills and teamwork. STEAM approach stipulates the following format of classes:
· Signs of problem-based learning;
· Setting tasks with a real context;
· The problem solving with the use of interdisciplinary interaction
· Preferential use of inductive research methods, teamwork, etc.
Upon graduation, students obtain teamwork skills, motivation, and ability to work autonomously. Also, employers mention highly developed communication skills among graduates.