SPRINT 3, LESSON 1
STEAM and Arts Integration
Video play time: 17:15
In this lesson we’re talking about one of the most discussed and most misunderstood distinctions: the difference between Arts Integration and STEAM. This is critical for you as an arts integration specialist to understand because lots of people will use those terms interchangeably. And while they have similarities, they are not the same. So in this lesson, we’re going to break all that down and get crystal clear on what’s different, what’s the same and when to use which approach. Here’s what we’re going to cover:
• What IS STEAM?
• The connections between STEM and STEAM
• The difference between arts enhancement, arts integration and STEAM
• How to use the innovation design cycle to connect with any initiative
I really appreciated this lesson and feel like I have a better understanding of the similarities and differences between STEAM and Arts Integration and am confident to begin explaining them to some of my colleagues.
Yay Mira!!!!
The handout with the differences between arts enhancement, arts integration and STEAM will be a great tool to use when sharing this information with colleagues. Thanks!
Yes! That resource is so helpful for visually laying out the differences!
I think I am still hazy on the differences. I understand it in theory, but is the main difference the idea of inquiry and problem-solving? The handout discusses the idea that arts integration leads to deeper learning, but so does STEAM(right?). I understand that connecting an arts standard to a STEM subject standard and assessing both equally that involves inquiry or problem-solving makes it STEAM. Can this same STEAM lesson also be considered Arts Integration? Can’t an arts integration lesson also require inquire or problem-solving? Are STEAM lessons ultimately arts integration lessons? Or is it strictly STEAM if if follows the Innovation Design Cycle???
What if an arts integration lesson connects an arts standard and an English standard but involves inquiry. Does this make it a STEAM lesson?
Currently, I could reiterate what was taught in the lesson, but if asked questions would find myself stumped.
Help Please…. sorry!
Hey Caroline! These are great questions! I will try to answer each individually and then give you an overview:
1. Is the main difference injury and problem solving? Yes AND the subjects used.
2. AI and STEAM both lead to deeper learning? Yes.
3. Connecting an Arts to a STEM using inquiry or problem solving makes it STEAM? Yes and engineering something.
4. Can a STEAM lesson also be considered AI? Yes.
5. Can an AI lesson also require inquiry and problem solving? Yes and depending on the product used could be considered AI with a PBL approach.
6. Are STEAM lessons ultimately AI lessons? No, not always but they can be depending on the process and subjects used.
7. Is it strictly STEAM if it follows the design cycle? Yes, as the design process is grounded in inquiry but must also have the STEM subjects.
8. What if an AI lesson connects an art and ELA but involves inquiry, is it STEAM? No, it must have one of the STEM subjects.
I like to think of it as a categorical syllogism (using either a particular affirmative or particular negative):
STEAM is always Arts Integration BUT Arts Integration is not always STEAM.
Arts Integration is teaching through the exploration of a content standard and an arts standard that are equitably assessed. If we add to that and make it inquiry based that solves a real-world problem, using one of the STEM subjects then we have turned that Arts Integration into STEAM. If we don’t include the Arts Integration in the STEAM (for example we do an inquiry lesson with science and math) then it is only STEM. That’s what makes the understanding of Arts Integration imperative to properly executing STEAM.
Hope that helps!!! Let me know if you need to chat more :)
Sorry…I was logged in under a different email, but it is me, Typhani, if you need to email me to talk more about the above response :)
GOT IT! Thanks! :)
Yay!!! (just realized I typed injury instead of inquiry hahahaha…please don’t injure anyone while you STEAM :)
Hi Typhani,
I would like to thank you for the wealth of information and explaining the difference between STEM and STEAM. In my area STEM was the front runner before STEAM was adopted. I am seeing more adminstrators and educational service districts moving forward with STEAM.
YAHOO!
Cheryl
Hey Cheryl
Yay! Glad that was helpful and WooHoo on your group moving from STEM to STEAM!!
This is extremely helpful in light of the prominence of S.T.E.A.M. promotion and advertisements re: current curriculum designs in education. I am glad for the intense support and scrutiny during SPRINT re: standards alignment.
Awesome Eric!
The lesson was good, as always – the comments and conversation even better! Thank you! :-D
Hey KC!! Glad you are finding it valuable!
So great to see this awesome conversation. Deep stuff here! Awesome job you guys!
Hi! Wow! I can’t believe how much I am learning. The integrity of the arts through intentional connections to core content has really opened my mind to what STEAM really is.
Yes Tanya!! STEAM definitely takes arts integration to the next level…but without truly understanding arts integration..ya’ can’t STEAM!
Wow! Thanks for all the great questions and the thoughtful answers. That is some seriously rich learning happening here!