The concept of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) program was born out of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs. As beneficial as STEM programs are in terms of introducing children to important skills they will use for the rest of their lives, we believe that the A is STEAM is equally as important as the other letters. However, there is some debate over including art in these programs.
Advocates of STEM programs are generally opposed to including art as a major component because they believe that art is naturally a part of science, technology, engineering, and math lessons, so it is not something that students are missing out on when they participate in STEM programs. They believe that the focus should remain on STEM, and that adding art into the curriculum will only serve to distract the students and dilute the purpose of these programs.
On the other hand, there are also people who support art programs who believe that it is a mistake to include the A in STEAM programs. The argument from that side is that STEAM programs focus on the STEM aspects, and use art as a vehicle from which to learn about those aspects instead of getting the focus it deserves in its own right.
At Elite Scholars STEAM Academy, we believe that the art component is a crucial and inextricable part of our STEAM program, and that it does not take away or serve as a mere supplement to our STEM teachings. Art is an incredible method of expression that has real world applications. The understanding of and ability to apply art skills is an incredible boon to our students, particularly those who will go on to apply their STEM knowledge in the real world. For example, art promotes creative and innovative thinking, which is essential in science careers, from research to invention to education. Additionally, art teaches children about communication and self-expression, which are essential skills in both the workplace and in their personal lives.
If you are interested in entering your child in our STEAM program in Fairview Heights, Illinois, read about our admissions process here.