Ms. Lam's little Educator Journal

 Education has always been a hot topic in our society, simply because it is relating to our children. Precisely, education is a foundation of our economy to the job market. A few years ago, the White House claimed the slow recovery is due to the insufficient capable workers in the field of Science, Technology, Engineer and Mathematics (STEM). As a result, schools must integrate STEM education in the classroom to prepare students master the STEM content and preparing them for STEM careers.

 

However, that was not enough to inspire artistically talented students. Thus last year, STEM has added an “A” for Art and became STEAM. With Art integrated to the STEM programs, students are given the opportunity to create and design their own ideas and products. It encourages a stronger innovation of combining the quality of scientists and artists. Better yet, it cultivates students’ creativity, ingenuity and critical thinking skills.

 

After years of volunteering curriculum planning in diverse population of K-12 classrooms, obtained a graduate degree in education, and taught in both National Blue Ribbon and Title I schools, I truly appreciate the values of STEAM education. I witness how STEAM promotes active learning with hands-on activities and engages students in different contents areas. Students get to learn and experiment facts within meaningful contexts, investigate and finding their own solutions.

More importantly, STEAM promotes citizenship and personal characters. Students learn how to work as a team, encouraging and empathic. With STEAM education, I do not have to bank or hammer information to my students. I get to be a facilitator by engaging students in critical thinking and problem-solving skills. After using STEAM education in my classroom, my students become much more responsible, self-directed and intrinsically motivated toward their learning.

 

            Please take a moment to flash back your own education. When was the last time you had a meaningful activity in the classroom? Since I did not have any, I chose to be an educator. One of most meaningful teachable moments was definitely using STEAM education where my students were simply sitting in their seats and listening to my lectures. My biggest reward was when my students told me that they become friends through working and solving problem together and had fun. I understand that implementing STEAM education is not an easy task or an overnight process. It does require efforts from supportive parents, well-trained educators and a caring community.