A broadened area branching out from STEM education, STEAM typically refers more to the creative side of things. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, which also happen to encompass some of the most prominent careers today. If we add an 'A' to make it STEAM, however, now we're incorporating art as well. Though not super closely related to science and technology on the surface, the arts may seem to be a strange element to add into STEM learning. With more opportunities to be creative, however, students can develop many of the key skills they'd need for success in a STEM career. STEAM learning encompasses many different areas—from artistic projects or makerspace endeavors to creatively solving problems. As kids try new, hands-on experiences, they also have more chances to activate inquiry and curiosity. And, these are two key drivers of learning and discovery.
Essentially, moving from STEM to STEAM involves adding extra creativity and opportunities for artistic freedom and exploration. Oftentimes, children will leverage various technologies in STEM or MakerEd projects but they can do even more. Tapping into the STEAM side of things, this gives them a chance to learn how thought-provoking questions and unique design elements can also come into play during their problem-solving processes. Educators could still encourage students to question things and connect problems to solutions—albeit with a more artistic lens. In STEAM projects, children often get to incorporate personalized details that illustrate some of their passions. And, while this self-expression is also important, it's how they authenticate these projects to the next degree that's truly valuable. Browse our STEAM content below for more insights and check out our store for all the tools you'll need.
As we do every month, we’ve selected a recipient for our $500 EdTech grant award for the month of April. The awardee is Ashley Alden, a teacher at Dayton Heights Elementary in Los Angeles, California. We really loved Ashley’s application and how she got the inspiration for the project she wants to work on with her students.
You know us. We love advocating for the use of new and engaging mediums in contemporary education. In fact, we’re regularly advocating for the use of augmented and virtual reality in all grades—not just college—and that just so happens to be the subject of this week’s Rising Resources blog. Read on to learn more about Alive Studios!
It’s time to announce the recipient of Eduporium’s $500 EdTech grant for the month of March. And, the winner is…Jacqueline Firster, a dedicated makerspace manager and STEM teacher from Arlington Public Schools in Virginia. Jacqueline is going to be using her award to create a mobile makerspace and enriched PBL in her school.
Though they do have differing views when it comes to what the most important components of learning should be, we think it’s safe to say that both groups want education to be fun! And, that’s very appropriate because the subject of this week’s Rising Resources blog is Funology—an online database for educators to find hands-on STEAM projects.
Ordering a bunch of new technology and then throwing it into a classroom isn’t necessarily a great idea. Children might be excited, but it’s also highly unlikely that they (or their teachers) will know how to make the most of this technology or even know how to use it at all. With advances in EdTech and a greater focus on
We’re very excited to share their stories and their work with you and hope it will give more educators encouragement to try something new in the classroom. This month, we spoke to Meghan Kestner, an Education Specialist from California, who isn’t afraid to try new tools in her classroom! Keep reading to learn more about her!
The awardee for the month of February is Laura Luker, who is a librarian at the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School in Hadley, MA! Laura works with students of different ages starting out in elementary school and all the way up through high school, and some of the students are definitely challenged with some pretty cool projects each year.
These electronic LEGOs snap together and teach kids basic concepts, like magnetism, circuitry, inputs, outputs, and engineering while they play! With a model based on progression, students can start learning with littleBits as early as first grade and create a foundation for eventually inventing devices that they can use in feats of engineering and even control with code!
Mastering a STEM-related craft and earning that degree is one of the best ways to ensure future success, but what are the best college majors for those who want a lifetime of STEM challenges? Is it engineering or computer science? Or, might there be some other options to consider. We’ll take a look at some of the best options.
We’re just a few days away from one of our most exciting EdTech events of the year! For the first time, we’ll be attending and exhibiting at the FETC in Orlando starting this Monday. The Eduporium team will be at Booth 1451 on both Monday and Tuesday with plenty of EdTech tools for attendees to learn about and try, including
