What is STEAM?
STEAM is an educational initiative that originated at the Rhode Island School of Design, a private, non-profit college that prepares its students for careers in areas of fine arts, architecture, design, and art education. As with many art programs, instruction is provided through a hands-on, studio-based curriculum. RISD saw a need for an expansion of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) to include the arts. The result is a holistic approach to education; in their words, “The goal is to foster the true innovation that comes with combining the mind of a scientist or technologist with that of an artist or designer.”
Utilizing project-based learning, STEAM is not just the individual study of all five disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), but is a framework to bring all of them together. STEAM educators realize that all of the subjects overlap and that engaging students in all of the disciplines through their similarities and differences result in well-rounded students with a greater ability to use critical thinking and creativity together to apply what they learn across the entire educational spectrum.
Why is STEAM Important?
Essentially, early STEAM education helps prepare young students for their educational career and beyond. Too often, traditional education with divided subjects leaves some students feeling that they are good at some subjects and not good in others. If they are presented with subjects in a more holistic manner, they begin to see how they are related and the ways they can succeed across all of the disciplines.
A holistic education presents students the opportunity to excel in their educational career from primary school to high school and beyond. They are better prepared to tackle difficult questions by observing them from many angles, rather than a linear approach or simple memorization. Students learn to approach a difficult question with a critical eye and confidence that they can answer whatever is presented because they already have the tools. In fact, problems and questions become fun, interesting puzzles to solve.
How Red Door Utilizes STEAM?
Here at Red Door, we use STEAM to educate children in an exciting and engaging atmosphere that inspires creativity, imagination, and a love of learning. Using this holistic approach, we are able to provide a well-rounded educational foundation that will benefit them in the future. While this may sound like it’s all about preparing them for the future, it’s actually a lot of fun right now!
Project-based learning means that we can utilize a hands-on approach where students are fully-involved in whatever they are learning. We encourage imagination, wonder, and mindfulness as students explore the world around them and learn basic skills and concepts. The idea that learning and problem-solving are enjoyable is something that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Ultimately, it is our goal to provide every student with a beneficial educational foundation, while recognizing their individual traits and strengths and fostering a love of learning and the confidence to succeed. Please contact us today to learn more about Red Door and our programs.
Comments