Creating the Right STEAM Lab for Your School

When the nation started renewing its educational focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects, some educators felt that the approach came at the expense of art. In many classrooms, you now see “STEAM”, with teachers incorporating a more multi-discipline approach that requires creativity, as well as critical thinking and problem solving.

TIME TO ENVISION: Student stations are modular, allowing for the project-based, multimodal learning outcomes that STEAM requires

STEAM requires new thinking in regards to what those classrooms may look like. In most cases, STEAM is generated from the art program out, with teachers finding ways to tie their curricula to the STEM concepts outside their doors. To do this effectively, some things need to change in the art room.

In a STEAM lesson, technology becomes a prominent tool. Elementary students are utilizing simple graphics programs to create art, but STEAM goes much further than that. A typical STEAM project would also require the creation of visual representations of the data generated through an interdisciplinary math or science project. The activity of communicating project data in a creative manner enables better communication to a group.

Graphic artists are not only using technology in their daily lives – they are often creating technology themselves!

Computer science and programming often finds itself at the crossroads between data and art. Students that can demonstrate computer programming skills to resolve problems as part of a vigorous STEAM curriculum will enjoy a bright future.

Now let’s take a look at what the modern STEAM learning space can look like:

• Technology is made available while it is also easily stowed for hands-on learning opportunities.
• Student stations are modular, allowing for the project-based, multimodal learning outcomes that STEAM requires. Student spaces can be grouped or spread out in the event of a large-scale demonstration. It is possible for students to also work independently if the task allows.
• The days of the flat library cart are over. Movable, flexible demonstration carts not only give options to the upper grade teacher, but they also make new hands-on opportunities available to the elementary science instructor, as well as those who need to move from room to room due to budgetary constraints.
• Just as in any technology-heavy space, a STEAM lab needs to significantly consider infrastructure needs. Is there enough power available? Can devices be stowed to protect them from the more creative aspects of a STEAM lesson?

Although fun hands-on activities still abound in these classrooms, STEAM also requires the use of technology. Expensive devices are cared for during demonstrations and trials, yet are also readily available for when students need to work with the data gathered and create products from their learning.

Modern education, especially in the STEAM fields, requires a holistic approach that mirrors what the world of college and career will look like for our students. Their learning environments should act as partners in facilitating that level of all-encompassing learning.

Although fun hands-on activities still abound in these classrooms, steam also requires the use of technology.

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