Now more than ever, we need STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) to become STEAM (adding the “A” for Arts). The inclusion of ARTS has been widely studied and found to be an intergral part of critical thinking. More and more businesses are including visual and writing artists as part of their innovation teams.
Why?
Visual art explains data analysis for and between people working in science, technology, engineering and math. It allows them to SEE their projects. All persons involved need to be able to visualize (or have others create the needed visuals) their ideas to help share them with their teams and the Arts provide that element.
The Writing Arts continue to be needed when the details of discoveries and inventions are written up to be shared. Plus, being able to write succinct details and explain processes in use becomes key from concept of iceas through to sale and sharing of products and discoveries.
In a recent article I read, the author suggested that if we weren’t showing students the creativity in what they are doing and if we fail to allow them to explore the creative side of their projects,we are failing to give them the total picture of what it means to use STEM/STEAM.