25 décembre 2023 in Enseignement supérieur & Internationalisation

STEM versus STE(A)M: making room for arts & humanities

Stem VS Steam - Making room for arts & humanities

We all know about STEM. But what does the “A” in STEAM stand for ?

The international popularity of STEM subjects is still prevalent in the higher education sector and the divide between arts and sciences within the university still deeply entrenched. Nonetheless since 2000, forward-thinking decision-makers in universities as well as renowned educators have been advocating for the introduction of a STEAM education.

STEAM is an interdisciplinary teaching concept that combines the arts with traditional STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. »

STEAM is an interdisciplinary teaching concept that combines the arts with traditional STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. »

The fast-paced technological environment has prompted a debate about whether universities should train new generations of scientists, technologists and engineers which would embrace arts and humanities beyond their traditional scientific disciplines. But to what purpose exactly ?

AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, cybersecurity and other major challenges of the 21 st century, are not just technological issues. They contain technological issues and feed directly into technological and engineering applications but they are not genuinely technological issues. They include also societal and ethical ones as they generate societal impacts that STEM students should question and be able to address.

Our educational system should engage more students with issues of ethics and responsibility in science and technology. We should treat arts and humanities courses not as some vague attempt to “broaden minds” but rather as a necessary discussion of morals, values, ethics and responsibility. »

Our educational system should engage more students with issues of ethics and responsibility in science and technology. We should treat arts and humanities courses not as some vague attempt to “broaden minds” but rather as a necessary discussion of morals, values, ethics and responsibility. »

Arts and humanities courses should be more largely mainstreamed in engineering schools to provide a platform for students to analyze and discuss complex ethical issues related to science and technology. By engaging with literature, philosophy, history, and other humanities disciplines, students develop the skills to evaluate the ethical implications of scientific advancements and technological innovations. By examining case studies, students learn to recognize and navigate ethical dilemmas in real-world scenarios and thus, develop the capacity to make informed and responsible decisions.

But arts and humanities courses go even further: they encourage also students to empathize with diverse perspectives and understand the societal impacts of scientific and technological developments. By bridging the gap between STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and the humanities, students gain a holistic understanding of complex issues and are better equipped to address societal challenges collaboratively.

When considering the integration of arts into STEM, we need to think beyond traditional art forms. It’s much more about incorporating design thinking, creativity, and innovation processes into STEM projects to develop students’ soft skills alongside their technical skills, making them more adaptable to the real world.

What does it mean concretely to recognize the ability of the arts to expand the limits of STEM education ?

First, we need to acknowledge that STEM is fundamentally connected to everything in our society, and we must help students see those connections. Second, championing science, engineering and mathematics with arts (particularly visual arts) means turning critical thinking into critical making which is essential for a comprehensive STEAM curriculum. »

First, we need to acknowledge that STEM is fundamentally connected to everything in our society, and we must help students see those connections. Second, championing science, engineering and mathematics with arts (particularly visual arts) means turning critical thinking into critical making which is essential for a comprehensive STEAM curriculum. »

The increasing incorporation of digital fabrication tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machines into the classroom is one key tendency we have seen appearing in recent years. These tools let students bring their digital designs to life, offering a hands-on learning experience encompassing artistic design and scientific calculation. Not only is digital fabrication cool, but this melding of creativity with technical skills underscores the essence of STEAM education, where students are encouraged to think critically and innovate.

Also, using coding and robotics in arts education introduces students to the language of the future — programming: through coding and robotics, students learn to think logically, break down problems into smaller steps, and develop algorithms to solve them. These skills are fundamental to computational thinking, which is increasingly important in various fields beyond computer science, including arts and humanities.

In an increasingly interconnected and technologically driven world, STEAM competencies will become paramount in addressing emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, climate change, and social inequality. »

In an increasingly interconnected and technologically driven world, STEAM competencies will become paramount in addressing emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, climate change, and social inequality. »

One concrete example in recent years that gain public interest is the origami revolution which explores the synergy between art and engineering through the lens of origami principles. This project demonstrates how creativity and technical expertise can come together to solve complex challenges and push the boundaries, be it the similarities from Origami and protein structure folding in the medical sector or 3D computer modeling methods derived from origami to develop solar panels. Understanding the principles behind origami can inform advancements and be applied to develop innovative engineering solutions and foldable technologies. The interdisciplinary nature of STEAM illustrates how blending different disciplines like mathematics, engineering, and the arts leads to innovative solutions.

In bridging the gap between disciplines, STEAM education is pioneering innovative approaches to students that prepare them for a future where technology and creativity intersect more seamlessly than ever before. »

In bridging the gap between disciplines, STEAM education is pioneering innovative approaches to students that prepare them for a future where technology and creativity intersect more seamlessly than ever before. »

Treating arts and humanities courses as a necessary discussion of morals, values, ethics, and responsibility enriches the educational experience and equips students with a more rounded skill set at the end of the day. This will be much needed to navigate the complex ethical landscape of science, technology and society.

Catherine SARACCO

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