Oftentimes in schools, creative subjects will face budget cuts to the curriculum in favour of STEM subjects, but STEAM subverts that notion by making the argument for a more well rounded approach to education. What is the difference, though, between STEM and STEAM subjects?
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. It focuses only on scientific concepts. While STEAM includes all of those same fields, it also adds the arts to the curriculum. There is more of a focus on the integration of science, technology, and math with the creative process. The ‘A’ stands simply for arts, but can include subjects like humanities, language, drama, design, media, dance, music, visual fine art, and more.
The jobs of tomorrow will require today’s children to be educated in a range of areas in order to come up with inventive solutions facing humanity. Not only will they need to be able to code, solve math problems, and understand science, but they will also need to be creative and curious. The great Leonardo Da Vinci was someone who understood that combining science and art is fundamental to our ability to make new discoveries, and this is true now more than ever.
Valentino DiGiorgio is a community-conscious philanthropist who believes in the importance of STEAM subjects, and offers the Valentino DiGiorgio STEAM Scholarship to recognise students using their skills to make a positive impact in their community.
