STEAM in K-2 and 3-6

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Integrating STEAM in the classroom has many benefits. Students are required to use the left hemisphere of their brain for logic, and the right hemisphere of their brain for emotion and creativity. STEAM also encourages inquiry, discourse, and critical thinking, while piquing curiosity. Research tells us that there are not enough people pursuing engineering and technology careers. Since integrating STEAM into the curriculum, there has been a 36% increase in students seeking technology jobs and a 55% increase in engineering. A common misconception is that STEAM is too hard, but failures lead to self-reflection and success. STEAM actually comes naturally to learners. Everyday activities include natural investigation and exploration skills that are encouraged by play.

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            STEAM can be incorporated into the curriculum at any time. In the K-2 classroom, STEAM and play go hand in hand. Students can build and design their own structures out of blocks, for example. Arts can be integrated by drawing, designing, or incorporating language arts, liberal arts, fine arts, or music. STEAM also encourages exploration and reflection. Students find what works and doesn’t work to improve their designs. 

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    STEAM changes the way the classroom looks. STEAM takes the place of traditional classrooms, where the teacher teaches, and students “listen”. Students are no longer bored by what they feel is pointless information. They are engaged and collaborating with their peers to find solutions to real world problems. Students reach the highest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy, in which they are able to combine facts, generalize information, and explain content. Students are also prepared for their future jobs.  However, STEAM is not just for those students who want to work in technology or engineering fields. Even teachers with STEAM education are more desired. 8 out of 10 most wanted employees are those with STEAM degrees. Those with STEAM education make approximately 70% more money than those without. 

            One of our jobs as educators is to make sure our students are prepared for their future. The best way to do so is to incorporate the best approaches to learning so that they are engaged and continuously thinking. I plan to incorporate STEAM in my classroom no matter what I teach. There are so many ways to incorporate STEAM activities into any lesson. There are plenty of FREE resources available, and teachers can use every day materials instead of buying new ones.