Menu
  • About
  • Coworking
  • Resources

STEM and STEAM

February 21, 2020ConceptsShare Your Sci

Scientists are fond of abbreviations, and so are science communicators! Two very common ones used in education, outreach and policy are STEM and STEAM. 

What are STEM and STEAM?

One of the terms you’ll come across a lot in science communication is STEM. It’s an abbreviation that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The umbrella term becomes relevant in the context of education and public engagement, which often has a very broad aim to engage young people with STEM fields.

You might also come across the term STEAM, which adds an A for the Arts.

Incorporating the arts into STEM

Both STEM and STEAM are primarily interested in broadening engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Even though STEAM has an added A for Arts, this does not mean that they’re equally concerned with getting kids enrolled in art history as they are with the next generation of scientists and engineers. Rather, STEAM incorporates the arts into STEM education.

This could take the form of emphasizing that both art and science are involved in certain processes and fields (such as 3D printing or architecture), or it could be a way to describe the use of arts-based STEM exploration, like using music instruments to teach physics.

Ultimately, STEAM emphasizes that there is a creative side to STEM subjects.

Read more

  • Segarra VA, Natalizio B, Falkenberg CV, Pulford S, Holmes RM. STEAM: Using the Arts to Train Well-Rounded and Creative Scientists. J Microbiol Biol Educ 2018; 19. doi:10.1128/jmbe.v19i1.1360.
  • Wade-Leeuwen B, Vovers J, Silk M. Explainer: what’s the difference between STEM and STEAM? The Conversation. 
  • Feldman A. Why We Need to Put the Arts Into STEM Education. Slate Magazine. 2015

Image credit: colour-altered and cropped image of an original byClay Banks onUnsplash

Tags: public engagement, STEAM, STEM
  • Categories

    • Big Picture
    • Coffee break
    • Concepts
    • Profiles
    • Quick tips
  • About
  • Coworking
  • Resources
  • Archive
  • Workbooks

© 2023

Privacy Policy

Theme by WP Puzzle

➤
Cookie information
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We don't request or store personal information. Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT