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Here at REC, we have a STEAM teacher who meets with all classes once a week during our weekly rotations. STEAM stands for incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Students visit Mrs. Easley's class weekly to answer inquiry questions and use critical thinking to create projects. The students learn to be innovators through collaboration and guided discussion.

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Please see the flyer below for more information. More details to come soon!

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Jack and the Beanstalk
Circuit Building
Camp Invention sign-up
Let's Build a Bridge
Making Paper
Bracelet Binges

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Here is a video of how a school is implementing STEAM/STEM. Check it out!

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Integrating STEM into the Elementary Classroom

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See the attached flyer from our Google Drive to see if you can help us with our STEAM/STEM Night.

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Check out this school to see how STEAM/STEM is improving the vitality of instruction.

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Integrating STEM into the Elementary Classroom

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Please use the Google Form to volunteer for this special event at our school.

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This link details the phases of STEM/STEAM education. Check it out!

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(Image credit: Portra via Getty Images)

STEM education is a teaching approach that combines science, technology, engineering and math. Its recent successor, STEAM, also incorporates the arts, which have the "ability to expand the limits of STEM education and application," according to Stem Education Guide. STEAM is designed to encourage discussions and problem-solving among students, developing both practical skills and appreciation for collaborations, according to the Institution for Art Integration and STEAM.

Rather than teach the five disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEAM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.

According to the U.S. Department of Education "In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it's more important than ever that our nation's youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions."

In 2009, the Obama administration announced the " Educate to Innovate" campaign to motivate and inspire students to excel in STEAM subjects. This campaign also addresses the inadequate number of teachers skilled to educate in these subjects.

The Department of Education now offers a number of STEM-based programs, including research programs with a STEAM emphasis, STEAM grant selection programs and general programs that support STEAM education.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Education awarded $141 million in new grants and $437 million to continue existing STEAM projects a breakdown of grants can be seen in their investment report.

The importance of STEM and STEAM education

(Image credit: selimaksan via Getty Images)

STEAM education is crucial to meet the needs of a changing world. According to an article from iD Tech, millions of STEAM jobs remain unfilled in the U.S., therefore efforts to fill this skill gap are of great importance. According to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics there is a projected growth of STEAM-related occupations of 10.5% between 2020 and 2030 compared to 7.5% in non-STEAM-related occupations. The median wage in 2020 was also higher in STEAM occupations ($89,780) compared to non-STEAM occupations ($40,020).

Between 2014 and 2024, employment in computer occupations is projected to increase by 12.5 percent between 2014 and 2024, according to a STEAM occupation report. With projected increases in STEAM-related occupations, there needs to be an equal increase in STEAM education efforts to encourage students into these fields otherwise the skill gap will continue to grow.

STEAM jobs do not all require higher education or even a college degree. Less than half of entry-level STEAM jobs require a bachelor's degree or higher, according to skills gap website Burning Glass Technologies. However, a four-year degree is incredibly helpful with salary - the average advertised starting salary for entry-level STEAM jobs with a bachelor's requirement was 26 percent higher than jobs in the non-STEAM fields.. For every job posting for a bachelor's degree recipient in a non-STEAM field, there were 2.5 entry-level job postings for a bachelor's degree recipient in a STEAM field.

STEAM blended learning

What separates STEAM from traditional science and math education is the blended learning environment and showing students how the scientific method can be applied to everyday life. It teaches students computational thinking and focuses on the real-world applications of problem-solving. As mentioned before, STEAM education begins while students are very young:

Elementary school - STEAM education focuses on the introductory level STEAM courses, as well as awareness of the STEAM fields and occupations. This initial step provides standards-based structured inquiry-based and real-world problem-based learning, connecting all four of the STEAM subjects. The goal is to pique students' interest into them wanting to pursue the courses, not because they have to. There is also an emphasis placed on bridging in-school and out-of-school STEAM learning opportunities.

Middle school - At this stage, the courses become more rigorous and challenging. Student awareness of STEAM fields and occupations is still pursued, as well as the academic requirements of such fields. Student exploration of STEAM-related careers begins at this level, particularly for underrepresented populations.

High school - The program of study focuses on the application of the subjects in a challenging and rigorous manner. Courses and pathways are now available in STEAM fields and occupations, as well as preparation for post-secondary education and employment. More emphasis is placed on bridging in-school and out-of-school STEAM opportunities.

Much of the STEAM curriculum is aimed toward attracting underrepresented populations. There is a significant disparity in the female to male ratio when it comes to those employed in STEAM fields, according to Stem Women. Approximately 1 in 4 STEAM graduates is female.

(Image credit: SolStock via Getty Images)

Inequalities in STEAM education

Ethnically, people from Black backgrounds in STEAM education in the UK have poorer degree outcomes and lower rates of academic career progression compared to other ethnic groups, according to a report from The Royal Society. Although the proportion of Black students in STEAM higher education has increased over the last decade, they are leaving STEAM careers at a higher rate compared to other ethnic groups.

"These reports highlight the challenges faced by Black researchers, but we also need to tackle the wider inequalities which exist across our society and prevent talented people from pursuing careers in science." President of the Royal Society, Sir Adrian Smith said.

Asian students typically have the highest level of interest in STEAM. According to the Royal Society report in 2018/19 18.7% of academic staff in STEAM were from ethnic minority groups, of these groups 13.2% were Asian compared to 1.7% who were Black.

Additional resources

If you want to learn more about why STEAM is so important check out this informative article from the University of San Diego. Explore some handy STEAM education teaching resources courtesy of the Resilient Educator. Looking for tips to help get children into STEAM? Forbes has got you covered.

Bibliography

Lee, Meggan J., et al. 'If you aren't White, Asian or Indian, you aren't an engineer': racial microaggressions in STEM education." International Journal of STEM Education 7.1 (2020): 1-16.

STEM Occupations: Past, Present, And Future. Stella Fayer, Alan Lacey, and Audrey Watson. A report. 2017.

Institution for Art Integration and STEAM What is STEAM education?

Barone, Ryan, 'The state of STEM education told through 18 stats', iD Tech.

U.S. Department of Education, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, including Computer Science.

'STEM sector must step up and end unacceptable disparities in Black staff', The Royal Society. A report, March 25, 2021.

'Percentages of Women in STEM Statistics' Stemwomen.com

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STEM education, now also known as STEAM, is a teaching approach that combines science, technology, engineering, the arts and math.

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Listen as one teacher shares her love of STEAM

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Check out these ideas you can do at home!

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Here is a list of local businesses that will donate items to our STEAM night. Please let us know if you have any contact with any of these:
Chick-fil-A @ Pelham Rd
BASF
BMW
Hunter-Douglas Realty

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Click here to learn more about our summer camp called Camp Invention!

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A STEM Summer Camp Program for Grades K-6 That Turns Curious Kids Into Innovative Thinkers

Here's what an action-packed day looks like with Camp Invention

Discover our new 2024 Camp Invention program, Illuminate

This year's brand-new program will illuminate imaginations, inspire curiosity and help kids build essential STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills through collaboration and problem solving. Campers explore hands-on challenges and open-ended adventures designed to unlock creativity and help them shine their brightest!

Be an Innovative All-Star With In the Game ™

As children create their own light-up game board, they team up to tackle athletics, design, business and invention! Campers examine the features and specialized materials of a variety of sports balls, then create their own to use with their personalized game. They build a brand, create a logo and are recognized for their creativity by being inducted into the Game of Fame!

Shine Bright With Let's Glow ™

Creativity radiates as campers uncover the science of light through illuminating inventions and glowing animals. They build persistence as they make a one-of-a-kind Glow Box, experimenting with different forms of light and customizing their designs. Through the power of illumination, their ideas shine!

Explore the Earth and Water With Operation: HydroDrop ™

Campers embark on an epic global operation to help solve water challenges around the world! They learn about the role water plays for people and the planet, then customize a robotic lab-on-wheels to assist in their exploration. They use problem solving to design engineer inventions that will help create a crystal-clear future!

Build Big Ideas With Prototyping Studio ™

Children star as contestants on a game show where they mold, shape and transform their ideas into amazing inventions! Using a DIY toolbox and everyday materials, as well as inspiration from Our Nation's Greatest Innovators™, they complete a series of exciting prototyping challenges. While tapping into their imagination, they discover that invention can happen in any place at any time!

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Bringing hands-on, educational fun to children throughout the summer, Camp Invention® is the perfect STEM summer camp for your young innovator.