STEAM - Learning That is Representative of the Whole World

Summary

The speaker shares her journey in developing the STEAM curriculum, integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to create a holistic educational framework. Drawing from her background in engineering and arts, she emphasizes the importance of teaching how to learn and adapt, with STEAM being universally applicable across ages. Her experiences, including teaching in a rural school and winning a national engineering competition, highlight the curriculum's effectiveness and the transformative power of interdisciplinary learning.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker is excited to discuss their development with the STEAM curriculum, emphasizing its significance in their educational journey.
• 🎓 STEAM is a teaching framework that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, aiming to mimic natural learning processes.
• 🏫 The speaker's educational philosophy is deeply influenced by historical figures in education like Comenius, Montessori, Jane Adams, and John Dewey.
• 👨‍💻 The speaker's background in technology education and engineering design has significantly shaped their approach to STEAM, viewing education through an engineering lens.
• 🏡 A formative childhood experience of building a house with her grandfather at age 12 instilled a strong sense of empowerment and creativity in the speaker.
• 👵 The speaker's upbringing by immigrant grandparents, especially her grandfather's engineering mindset and her grandmother's creative spirit, profoundly influenced her worldview and educational philosophy.
• 🧠 The speaker's personal experiences with family members with Asperger's syndrome have highlighted the diversity of learning styles and the importance of inclusive education.
• 🎨 The integration of Arts into STEAM is crucial for the speaker, who believes that the Arts enhance communication, aesthetics, and the humanistic aspect of STEM fields.
• 🌐 The speaker's STEAM model is universal and adaptable, effective for learners of all ages, including children and adults like her grandmother with Alzheimer's.
• 🏆 The speaker's after-school engineering club's success in a national competition demonstrates the practical application and engagement of STEAM principles.
• 📈 STEAM education promotes functional literacy and continuous learning, preparing students to be informed and adaptive in an ever-changing world.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's presentation?

The main theme of the presentation is the speaker's development of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) framework, emphasizing its holistic, cross-disciplinary approach to education and how it aligns with natural learning processes.

How does the speaker relate their personal background to their educational philosophy?

The speaker discusses being raised by immigrant grandparents, including a grandfather who was an engineer and a grandmother who was creative and humanistic. These influences shaped their understanding of combining engineering, creativity, and human-centered approaches in education.

What role does the engineering design process play in the speaker's approach to education?

The speaker explains that they incorporate the engineering design process—evaluating, planning, redesigning—into their daily teaching, which helps them continuously improve the STEAM Matrix and adapt it to real-world changes.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of integrating the arts into STEM?

The speaker believes that adding the arts to STEM creates a more holistic educational experience, bridging the gap between technical knowledge and creative, human-centered design. This integration helps students better understand and communicate their work.

What experience does the speaker share about their time in Puerto Rico?

At 12 years old, the speaker helped their grandfather design and build a house in Puerto Rico, which they found empowering. This experience influenced their confidence and appreciation for hands-on, practical learning.

How did the speaker’s family dynamics influence their views on learning and teaching?

Growing up with a mother and brother who had Asperger's, the speaker learned the importance of different learning styles and teaching approaches. This shaped their belief that everyone can learn, despite challenges, and education should accommodate diverse needs.

What did the speaker accomplish in their after-school engineering program?

The speaker's after-school engineering club tackled a national competition, designing a prom outfit based on the periodic table of elements. They won first place at Nationals, and the experience taught the students valuable lessons in teamwork, chemistry, and design.

How does the speaker view assessments and testing in their classroom?

The speaker avoids traditional bubble sheet tests, instead favoring portfolios that track students' ideas and learning processes. This approach improves student engagement and helps them perform better in other subjects.

What impact does the speaker claim STEAM has on different age groups?

The speaker claims that STEAM is universal across all age groups, citing examples of using it with both young children and their elderly grandmother with Alzheimer's. The adaptability of STEAM makes it effective for learners of all ages.

What is the ultimate goal of the speaker's approach to STEAM education?

The speaker aims to create an educational environment where students can continuously learn, investigate topics deeply, and fully participate, regardless of their skill levels or challenges. They believe in fostering functional literacy and lifelong learning.