We have established that STEM has a severely important impact on education in our modern world, but what about the arts? Do they get pushed to the corner just because they aren't as up-and-coming? As an English major, I am partial to art, history, design and literature. However, that doesn't mean I don't understand the necessity of STEM education, hence why I'm writing about it.
Nevertheless, we need to figure out where the arts play in because surely the iPhone wasn't just designed by mindless beings. Imaginitive and creative humans put their minds to work and integrated both science and design to build this modern miracle. So how come STEM only consists of science, technology, engineering and math?
This is where STEAM comes in. That's right; an 'A' that stands for art.
When I looked up what the top majors in the country were, I had to do some hard research. For some reason, there were plently of lists explaining that STEM education needs to implemented, but nowhere did I find that STEM education was taking top priority. Most of the top majors included business and psychology, but maths and sciences were far down on
the lists, even though studies have proven they are the best paying majors for our future society.
As far as the arts, however, they are practically nonexistent. At the small university I attend, the English program only has a handful of students. Art majors are even more scarce. Granted, everyone knows these professions don't deal with the big bucks, but why are we separating STEM education from the imagination that art requires?
Design and technology go hand-in-hand when it comes to the latest inventions. Design is art, just online and through computer programs. Once we accept that art can play a part into the STEM programs, we can build a more beautiful future for ourselves.
Innovation is a hard thing to come by these days. All the movies are remakes or sequels. Books hardly skim the surface of the word 'new.' But invention is a movement which will always accelerate.
Ten years ago, hardly anyone even knew what the iPod was. Everyone was still using mp3s or CD players. Now, we've got all of our music, contacts, notes and apps on one device. The world is moving fast and we have to find a way to catch up. If we can begin to incorporate art into these innovations, imagine the possibilities that will unfold before our eyes.
To read more about the subject of STEAM, visit the website here.