Getting beyond the buzzwords: Schools improvise as they add art to their STEM schools
At the start of the school year, eighth graders at Fulton & Alsbury Academy of Art and Engineering cut amorphous shapes out of brightly colored pieces of construction paper. It was one of the first art projects of the year – a cutout in the style of French artist Henri Matisse.
"So basically we’re starting ... with the elements of art," said teacher Sally Furness. "And then we do a project based on that, and then we’ll start on the principles of design."
Furness, who teaches language arts and social studies, is taking on visual art instruction for the first time this year. This school, which opened this year, is one of many that are navigating the transition from a program focused on science, technology, engineering and math – known popularly as STEM – to one that also incorporates art.
“Not all people like just STEM. Some people are more into arts like I am,” said eighth grader Mystike Valdez. “You could combine arts with technology or arts with science.”
That’s pretty much the philosophy of STEAM education – to round out STEM’s focus on science and tech by fusing in arts and design to better prepare kids for innovative careers.
But while the STEM philosophy has passed into the mainstream over the past decade, STEAM is still a new enough idea that educators are finding themselves experimenting and making up exactly what it means for their schools and classes as they go along.
"I don’t like the word STEAM itself because I feel like it’s too much of a buzzword," said principal Andy Glatfelter. "And it begs the question, what exactly are you doing with art?"
STEM resources for teachers and schools are now plentiful. But there are fewer guidelines on how to add art into the mix.
"There’s not one way to tackle it," said Kim Richards, who runs the San Diego-based education partnership STEAM Insight. "That can be exciting for some teachers but it’s also frustrating for those who don’t have the time and are really struggling day to day to integrate it in their own classrooms."
Just four years ago, "people would look at me when I said STEAM with the brows Map: Getting beyond the buzzwords: Schools improvise as they add art to their STEM schools | 89.3 KPCC: