Fellows Harvey Seifter and Alan J. Friedman were quoted in a recent Education Week post about the intersection of the arts with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning.
Harvey is an expert in arts-based learning and director of the Art of Science Learning. He says “For me, it is about connecting—or reconnecting—the arts and sciences in ways that learning can happen at the intersection of the two. We believe there is a powerful opportunity here to use the arts and arts-based learning to spark transformational change in science education.” STEAM advocates believe that the arts encourage creativity and new approaches to STEM innovation.
Alan, a former head of the New York Hall of Science, is not a supporter of STEAM. “One crucial point at which they part ways is the act of deciding, ‘Is it good art? Is it good science?. Science and art have a lot to learn from each other, a lot of inspiration to share, a lot of commonality. They also have some very essential differences that are at the core of what they are, which is why I have trouble with STEAM.”
Read the full post at Education Week.
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Interestingly enough, here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I use “STEAM” in my programs, but b/c we are a community full of agriculture the “A” is used for Agriculture.