STEM/STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and the Arts
Here you'll find articles and resources for STEM+Arts education, also known as STEAM. Topics include science, technology, engineering, math and arts education and range from research reports to feature articles to profiles of makerspaces to news about new STEAM and STEAM initiatives in schools.
Google has set aside a $25 million pool to fund research work by schools and other organizations using machine learning for "social good."
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/14/18
A draft report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine examines citizen science, the concept that non-scientists can perform research that pushes scientific knowledge ahead. In the process, participants can learn scientific practices and content, but "only if the projects are designed to support learning."
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/14/18
By participating, students get a feel for what it's like to work on a team tackling a real-world problem under time and resource constraints — similar to the experiences of professional mathematicians working in industry. The goal is to make math "relatable" and show its importance and value in addressing complex issues.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/13/18
An update to a free online music production program includes new virtual instruments and allows users to compose with their voices. Amped Studio 2.0 lets the user record and play both audio and MIDI content simultaneously on the same track, while also adding as many other instruments and effects as he or she wants.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/08/18
The U.S. Department of Education is renewing its commitment to STEM education through dedicating $279 million to fund programs.
Researchers at Digital Promise are developing a project to track the progress of computational thinking skills across the K–12 school spectrum through student feedback and teacher integration.
On Nov. 1, Microsoft will be releasing its newest Minecraft Hour of Code tutorial, which, according to a recent announcement, could be "possibly the most adventurous tutorial yet." The company has teamed up with Code.org for the release of "Voyage Aquatic," in which students "explore aquatic worlds and uncover hidden treasure" by writing code to instruct agents to execute commands.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 10/25/18
Harmony Public Schools, a charter network in Texas, will be dedicating a new five-year, $7.9 million grant to expand a STEM project-based learning model from middle and high school into its elementary schools. "Launching Elementary Academic Foundations to STEM" or "LEAF to STEM," as the initiative is named, will reach 7,000 students in 16 elementary schools.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 10/25/18
Nintendo is working with the nonprofit Institute of Play to bring its popular Labo kits for Nintendo Switch to classrooms in North America. The Institute of Play is developing STEAM curriculum and a teacher guide for Labo and is seeking classrooms to participate.
A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine takes a comprehensive look at the state of English learners in STEM education and provides recommendations on ways to improve outcomes.