STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach that primarily focuses on technical and scientific concepts. It combines the knowledge and skills from these v
arious disciplines to prepare students for the real world. Hence, its emphasis is on problem-solving.
STEM is not only relevant in the classroom. In the real world and our daily routines, students interact with STEM. The US Department of Commerce stated that there had been an increase in STEM occupations compared to non-STEM occupations. It projects that STEM occupations will have grown by 8.9 percent by 2024 compared to the projected 6.4 percent growth for non-STEM occupations.
Data from the Pew Research Centre also revealed that STEM workers earn significantly more than non-STEM workers. The study puts it at a 25 percent increase even though the non-STEM workers are similarly trained.
Despite this, STEM education needs to acknowledge the importance of artistic thinking and creativity. It gives no room for thinking out of the box and the creative process that goes into producing innovative solutions. Meanwhile, some achievers in technological advancement have utilized their artistic thinking in their work.
It is this philosophy that is powering the shift towards STEAM education. The notion of STEAM education is that art can support STEM, making it leverage creativity and innovative thinking. Hence, STEAM education infuses art into technical and scientific subjects, equipping more students with the relevant skills and knowledge to thrive in the 21st century.
STEM is still widely accepted in education systems globally. Study shows that over 75 percent of jobs still demand STEM-trained candidates. Hence, many universities and institutions of higher learning provide many STEM-related courses.
The flip side is that many students lose interest in science. They end up switching to the humanities and commerce. The New York Times reports that over 40 percent of science and engineering majors are switching courses or failing to get a degree.
STEAM education is taking over STEM education by introducing the arts into the mix. It primarily seeks to stir curiosity, inspire creativity, and introduce personal expression into the scientific and technical disciplines.
In the real world, scientific and technical problems require an out-of-the-box approach. Hence, introducing creativity and intuitiveness adds a human touch that equips students with a faster approach to problem-solving in today’s fast-paced world.
With creativity and intuitive thinking, students can proffer solutions to problems without necessarily following the systematic steps specified by science. This makes problem-solving faster.
The primary objective of STEAM education is to raise innovators, not just people who consume information and assemble technology following predetermined steps. Its approach is more holistic as compared to STEM education.
With the advent of artificial intelligence, many tasks are getting automated. The implication is that many job roles will be affected while giving rise to newer career paths. Hence, the emphasis on STEAM education will make it easy for people to adapt to the economic impact of AI and automation.
A STEAM-centred curriculum will help students be innovative and adapt to a fast-changing and competitive world. Besides enhancing innovation and creative thinking, it will also enhance their social and collaborative skills.
The role of technology in STEAM education
The concept of STEAM education is beyond individual subjects. Rather, it is the incorporation of these subjects into every career path. These subjects do not exist in a vacuum. Thus, STEAM education involves integrating them into a curriculum that represents what students should expect in the real world and the workplace.
Technology plays an important role in all of this. Nowadays, students have more interactions with tech and the digital world. It is only appropriate that they get the necessary direction to use it correctly and effectively, especially in the learning system.
It is common for students to use computers for school projects, communicate with one another, and access learning resources on the go. Students use their devices to take notes in class and play educational games.
EdTechs and STEAM education
Apart from the major stakeholders in the school system, EdTechs in Nigeria have their place in the shift from STEM to STEAM education. They are rethinking traditional learning approaches and making learning more engaging and impactful.
Online platforms with interactive content and simulation allow students to explore and engage with STEAM concepts. Digital libraries and repositories have made learning materials accessible to teachers and students, irrespective of their locations.
The school management software in Nigeria has evolved to foster collaboration and connect students with others to work together on problem-solving tasks. The learning materials integrate real-life case studies. This allows students to apply STEAM concepts practically, thus, developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
The gamification of learning supports the holistic approach that STEAM brings to education. The emergence of these new technologies equips students with the skills needed for the complex society and rapidly changing environment of the digital era.
The way forward for STEAM education
Undoubtedly, there is some progress in the shift from STEM to STEAM education. However, there are still key issues that need attention. There is a need for comprehensive curriculum frameworks that seaml
essly integrate the arts with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This involves the design of interdisciplinary projects and activities that boost creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Also, educators need effective training and support. They need all the help they can get to integrate art-based pedagogies into their teaching practices effectively. Thus, they are empowered to give students a holistic experience.
There needs to be more data on the long-term impact of STEAM education. Thus, further research should explore its long-term impact on students’ academic performance, career choices, and overall development.
Abubakar Ismail Bello a digital marketing analyst at FlexiSAF Edusoft, an education technology company that provides innovative software solutions to educational institutions in Nigeria and other African countries
