I have been using a STEAM method of art education from the very beginning of my career in 1990, long before STEAM was ever a “thing.” When I began to hear about STEM/STEAM education my frank thought was “big deal.” I had no idea others were not doing that, except for the few I knew were doing the cookie cutter stuff. I asked my guidance department to track my students and they found my kids averaged 155 points higher on their SATs than their non-art peers did. It was proof that what I was doing had a more broad benefit.
I do have a more broad definition of arts integration. STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, but most exams like the PARCC, HSPA, or GEPA, focus 50% on writing, so to me it’s a no-brainer that STEM is still lacking and imperfect. I even consider world cultures and languages under my educational umbrella. What I do like about STEM, and even more with STEAM, is that there is finally an understanding that integration works better than treating subject like islands.
We know, when we grid, measure, and draw—we use geometry. When we make sculptures—we use engineering. When we mix colors—we reveal information about physics. When we create illustrations for stories—we learn about literature. When we review the styles of art from da Vinci to Banksy—we teach history. When we write about art—we strengthen these skills. When we create works of art, we solve complex visual problems in creative ways.
Below are some images of my STEAM connected art explorations. When you hover your cursor over the image, the intercurricular connections will show. You don't need to spend very much time to showcase the STEAM connections, sometimes it's a few seconds. When talking about color, bring out a prism. When working with clay, speak briefly about how iron in the clay makes it reddish, or cobalt makes glazes blue.
If you are new to teaching or would like a STEAM based art education resource, I collected many of my integrated lessons into a book titles "Art at the Heart" which you can get on Amazon or HERE for 30% off.
We are already making connections in the art classroom, we just need to take a short breath and point them out as we teach, because after all...
We ARE STEAM Experts!
I do have a more broad definition of arts integration. STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, but most exams like the PARCC, HSPA, or GEPA, focus 50% on writing, so to me it’s a no-brainer that STEM is still lacking and imperfect. I even consider world cultures and languages under my educational umbrella. What I do like about STEM, and even more with STEAM, is that there is finally an understanding that integration works better than treating subject like islands.
We know, when we grid, measure, and draw—we use geometry. When we make sculptures—we use engineering. When we mix colors—we reveal information about physics. When we create illustrations for stories—we learn about literature. When we review the styles of art from da Vinci to Banksy—we teach history. When we write about art—we strengthen these skills. When we create works of art, we solve complex visual problems in creative ways.
Below are some images of my STEAM connected art explorations. When you hover your cursor over the image, the intercurricular connections will show. You don't need to spend very much time to showcase the STEAM connections, sometimes it's a few seconds. When talking about color, bring out a prism. When working with clay, speak briefly about how iron in the clay makes it reddish, or cobalt makes glazes blue.
If you are new to teaching or would like a STEAM based art education resource, I collected many of my integrated lessons into a book titles "Art at the Heart" which you can get on Amazon or HERE for 30% off.
We are already making connections in the art classroom, we just need to take a short breath and point them out as we teach, because after all...
We ARE STEAM Experts!
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