STEAM programs and events combine art and science in new ways to engage students and faculty within higher education.
“Steam is important for higher education in particular because it encourages people to collaborate and think deeply about the connections between these fields as opposed to treating them as separate things,” said Claire Boeck, PT Coordinator II.
The stigma that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and the arts have nothing to do with one another is something that STEAM wants to break. An artist will have to work with a biologist in order to design a visual for a presentation. STEAM wants to model real world situations in classes and events.
“When students graduate college and go into the real world, no matter which route you take you're going to have to work with somebody who has a different approach than you,” continued Boeck.
On March 31, STEAM held an event called “LUNART: Fixing the Moon with Art and Science”. In this event, students learned about the connection between science and art by showing how the moon is represented in art and in scientifically correct phases of the moon.
Students were later able to create their own moon art and practice STEAM’s purpose. Students should be aware of STEAM, especially when picking classes. For example, a student who is more art oriented could consider taking a science class that implements STEAM. Professors have started implementing STEAM assignments and events in their classes.
Kasia Dudek is a Wright College student who took part in a STEAM activity in one of her classes. For a Humanities class, Dudek had to write a poem about the digestive system and cannibalism. This assignment combined the fields of literature and science and the class reacted positively and enjoyed the assignment. “I would have to say that by combining two different fields it enhanced my educational experience. It was challenging and fun, and it pushed me to think outside the box,” said Dudek.
“It was challenging to apply the information I learned about the digestive system and cannibalism. Before this assignment, I would have never associated cannibalism with the digestive system,” continued Dudek.
STEAM is a great curriculum for students. As Boeck says, “STEAM is for any student at Wright who is interested in a new approach in STEM and Art.”