FULL STEAM AHEAD!
September/October, 2016
STEM TO STEAM TO STREAM
STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) was the original acronym that grew into STEAM by adding an A for Art. More recently, an R has joined the word to represent Reading. This article will use the term STEAM by incorporating Language Arts with the A. Whatever acronym you use, STEAM emphasizes an integrated lesson that is project-based and shows children how school is integrated with their lives. Students use what they learn in math and science to create technology and a design to solve a problem. It’s a natural way for children to learn together. When young children are motivated and develop STEAM skills they will be equipped as they go through school and life to learn and make connections.
What Do the Letters in STEAM Mean?
Science: The study of the physical and natural world. That means everything from weather to meerkats to magnets to humans! Science is observing, questioning, making predictions, experimenting, and sharing what they’ve learned.
•Taking a nature walk and looking for signs of spring is science.
Technology: Anything created by humans to meet a need or want that makes life easier. (Whew! I thought it meant electronic devices.) A pair of scissors, a marker, or a desk can be technology. When children create a product that solves a problem that is technology.
•Pouring water, using a hole punch, or stirring with a spoon are examples of technology.
Engineering: The design process used to solve problems and build things.
•Building a home for the farm animals in the block center is engineering.
Art – Isn’t open–ended art the fusion of technology and engineering? Through art activities children use tools to create a unique design.
A also stands for “Language Arts.” Oral language, reading, and writing are integrated throughout the learning process.
•You get an “A” when you read a book about butterflies or let children create a butterfly collage.
Math: Math includes numbers, shapes, quantities, operations, and measurement.
•When children sort rocks, pass out snacks or play “I Spy a Shape” they are learning about math.
STEAM and children go together like peanut butter and jelly. Children are naturally curious and they want to explore and try to make sense out of their world. STEAM is also supportive of the WHOLE child and nurtures physical, social, and emotional skills along with cognitive skills.
You know more than you think you know!
When you take your students on a nature walk and encourage them to observe trees or shadows or rocks…
When you set up the block center with different materials…
When you give students recycled materials and ask them to create something…
When you cut up fruit for a salad…
When you talk about things that are round like the cracker for snack…
When you give children cups and spoons to measure in the water table or sandbox…
When you ask what they should wear outside by looking at the weather…
When you read books about animals…
When you ask them to look around their home for tools…
When you sing a song or do a finger play about caterpillars…
When you give them paper and ask them to look out the window and write or draw what they see…
Every day you are STEAMing ahead as you help children connect and explore with the real world.
The best things in life really are free! Take advantage of what you have and the natural world around you. Encourage children to explore objects, materials, events, and expand their natural curiosity with questions and language.
Vocabulary can add the magic touch to many lesson plans. When you ask children to “design” a home for a leprechaun in the block center or when you ask them to do “research” by looking at books on reptiles you are laying the foundation for future learning. At every opportunity introduce and use new words. The possibilities are limitless and children will devour new words when you feed them and connect words to their experiences.