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“The importance of STEM education is about so much more than just jobs. STEM fields demand curious individuals eager to solve the world’s most pressing problems.”
Claim of Policy:
Art should not be an addition to S.T.E.M. because Art distracts from foundational S.T.E.M. practices.
Importance of S.T.E.M.:
According to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, S.T.E.M. programs and activities extend beyond the realms of science and mathematics, delving deeper to instruct students on real-world applications that ignite their curiosity while enhancing their proficiency in technology, productivity, communication, flexibility, and initiative. This educational approach nurtures critical thinking, leadership, and the ability to embrace failure. While students may not see themselves working directly in the S.T.E.M. field, this form of education cultivates a skill set applicable to daily life in the real world.
The acronym S.T.E.M. was created in the early 2000s to generate a more comprehensive understanding of the areas of education that make up the acronym. These include science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These subjects play a major role in the current and future workforce in the U.S. due to a growing need for STEM-related jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that "Employment in STEM occupations has grown 79 percent in the past three decades. In addition, STEM jobs are projected to grow an additional 11 percent from 2020 to 2030." This growth is a result of continual technological advancements that then create and open up job opportunities within current and new fields. However, even though there are more job opportunities, the demand for STEM-related occupations is growing at a rate that is higher than the pool of applicants pursuing said STEM-related occupations.
Fig. 1 "S.T.E.M. Acronym Defined"
Outside of jobs, STEM is also important because of the skills that are developed in those classes. These classes help better prepare students for real-world situations and how to deal with them. They gain skills like problem-solving and critical thinking that can then be applied in their everyday life or jobs. For example, in the future, when these students are faced with the decision of which car to purchase, their problem-solving and critical thinking abilities may guide them towards a practical choice based on financial considerations and specific needs, rather than giving into desires that could be unreasonable or impractical.
The Arts can make S.T.E.M. more intriguing to a younger audience. However, Art may lead students to an incorrect assumption about the workforce. Creativity is an important asset for problem solving in all aspects of life. So, why isn't Art making an appearance in Business, Marketing, Retail, etc.? Each of these subjects, arguably, uses creativity and innovation equally as much as S.T.E.M. The argument to include Arts in S.T.E.M. ignores the idea that creativity is already an integral part of STEM. Additionally, creativity and art are not interchangeable synonyms. Arts implies literature, painting, drawing, etc.
The inclusion of art will cloud the essential skills for real-world situations that students.
Fig. 2 "Developer working with Arduino kit"
Fig. 3 "Mechanic working on a machining system"
In contemplating the integration of arts into traditional S.T.E.M. education, commonly known as S.T.E.A.M., a notable consideration lies in the potential impact on the overall college course load. While STEAM aims to foster more creativity and innovation, its implementation could potentially lengthen the standard four-year course load. Incorporating art into STEM disciplines may require additional coursework, assignments, and projects, potentially extending the time required for degree completion. Unlike STEM subjects, where concepts and theories typically have definitive answers, art introduces a subjective perspective that can complicate assessments and evaluations. This subjectivity may lead to increased workload and complexity in grading, burdening students and faculty alike. Additionally, the integration of art may require specialized facilities, materials, and expertise, adding logistical challenges and costs to educational institutions. Thus, while STEAM offers the promise of a holistic and innovative approach to education, its incorporation into college courses may present practical challenges and potential drawbacks.
Although incorporating Art into STEM may increase interest, there is a potential concern about unproductively lengthening the learning process of STEM.
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