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The world has now stepped past STEM into a world of STEAM education. But why must students choose STEAM education, what more does STEAM have to offer?
To understand why students must opt for STEAM Education, it’s important to understand what STEAM education is.
What is STEAM Education?
To put it in simple terms, STEAM education is a teaching and learning approach that uses science, technology, engineering, the arts, and maths to guide student inquiry, conversation, and critical thinking. According to experts, STEAM education helps students develop the ability to:
- Take calculated risks.
- Participate in meaningful activities.
- Become problem solvers who can withstand difficulty.
- Accept and value teamwork.
- Work in an innovative and creative way.
STEAM education encourages students and innovators to investigate thought-provoking questions—the kinds of questions that don’t have simple answers that can be found online. STEAM is an educational method that encourages students to be curious learners who seek out innovative solutions to real-world issues. Thus, allowing them to build the soft and hard skills they’ll need to thrive in college, their careers, and wherever else life takes them.
Let’s dive into STEAM
S for Science
The science here means Natural, physical, and life sciences, which sometimes includes medicine, and sometimes not. Science allows us to expand our curiosity and understanding of the living, material, and physical worlds through science. It also hones our collaborative, research, critical inquiry, experimentation, exploration, and discovery abilities. Common jobs in the field of science include medical professionals, biologists, and biological technicians, which help scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments.
T for Technology and E for Engineering
The method of applying scientific and mathematical knowledge to human problems is known as engineering. Technology is what is produced through the application of scientific knowledge to human activity. These taken together cover a wide range of topics, including business, computer science, chemicals, food, textiles, craft, design, and engineering, and are applicable to applied technologies, such as those related to building, transportation, and biomedical, microbiological, and food technology.
E for Engineering
Engineering is at the core of problem-solving and innovation. It involves applying scientific principles to design, create, and optimize systems, products, and solutions. Engineering is the bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical application. It encourages students to design, build, and iterate, fostering a deep understanding of how things work and how they can be improved.
A for the Arts
Arts here is an umbrella term for all disciplines like arts, the humanities, drama, dance, and visual arts. By bringing together the arts and sciences, STEAM education encourages students to think critically and creatively about the learned concepts. The arts can help learners to develop the kind of creativity, ingenuity, communication, and performance skills that will assist them throughout their education, but also with employment opportunities too.
M for Mathematics
Mathematics, which includes numeracy, underpins all of STEM and provides us with the skills and methodologies we need to evaluate and analyse data. It helps us simplify and solve problems, assess risk, and make educated, calculated decisions. Numeracy and Mathematics develop essential life skills and participation in society required in all careers and professions. In addition to laying the groundwork for STEM, the study and application of mathematics is an important science in itself, with far-reaching implications.
Thus, in the STEAM approach to education, students are prepared to be all-round individuals who can contribute efficiently to the nation through their multidisciplinary approach.
A true example in action of the STEAM approach is Tesla Autopilot, a car system with autopilot settings. The design of cars is constructed by automobile engineers and designers, while AI experts formulate the needed AI software and functionalities. The application of such a system on the road is carried out by mathematical calculations. The innovation and objective of its creation were inspired by the arts. Thus, all of STEAM is utilized for its production.
The most significant benefit of STEAM learning for Indian students is that the evaluation process becomes more transparent and takes into consideration a child’s self-discovery journey. Children can use STEAM to create solutions that have real visible outcomes.
Key examples are in the field of Robotics, AI, coding, laser, and 3D printers which help children to create, innovate, and implement. Rather than following a set of instructions from teachers, students learn through their own inventions.
STEAM education will thus help India develop a strong innovation culture, which will help us become an innovation hub and present our offerings to the world as creators rather than followers. Early STEAM education in India will lay the foundation of effective, practical learning and in-demand skills that can be actually implemented and just limited to our books. This will make the process of education easier and exciting.
The Government of India is also taking the initiative to lay the foundation of early STEAM education among students. ATLs (Atal Tinkering Labs) are being set up throughout India to promote STEAM education skills.The ATL’s will encourage the young minds to combine creativity and logic by offering them do-it-yourself kits that would contain equipment related to robotics, electronics, science, 3D printers, sensors, etc.
Recently, GoI launched a scheme to set up a semiconductor industry, to ultimately develop an entire electronics ecosystem. Initiatives like this will not only promote STEAM education but also present career opportunities for STEAM graduates.
