STEAM EDUCATION
THE IMPORTANCE OF 'A' IN STEAM
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.
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S is for Science
Children are natural scientists. They try to figure out just how the
world works by engaging in a series of steps called the scientific
method. The scientific method includes observing, forming
questions, making predictions, designing and carrying out
experiments, and discussing. Even infants and toddlers are using a
basic form of the scientific method (or performing little experiments)
as they explore and discover the world around them!
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T is for Technology
When we think of technology, cell phones and
computers often come to mind. But the “T” in
technology also stands for any type of man-made
object. Technology includes simple tools such as
pulleys, wheels, levers, scissors, and ramps. They
support children’s cognitive development, because
as children play with these tools, they observe and
learn from the underlying cause and effect.
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E is for Engineering
Engineering applies science, math, and technology
to solving problems. Engineering is using materials,
designing, crafting, and building – it helps us
understand how and why things work.
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A is for Arts
A creative mindset is critical for STEM subjects. That is why
the arts was added to STEM to become STEAM. Scientists,
technology developers, engineers, and mathematicians need
to innovate and solve problems creatively. The subjects in
STEAM are similar in their approach to learning.
Active and self-guided discovery is core to the arts and to
STEAM learning. Children engage in painting, PRETEND/ROLE PLAY,
music, and drawing. Art is sensory exploration
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M is for Math
Math is number and operations, measurement, patterns, geometry
and spatial sense. From birth until age five, children explore everyday
mathematics, including informal knowledge of “more” and “less,”
shape, size, sequencing, volume, and distance. Math is a tool children
use every day!