The modern world is slowly changing with the focus of moving more towards technology and science. With it, the way we educate students is also taking a unique turn in direction. Most of us might be familiar with the educational benefits of STEM, also referred to as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. However, lately, most education providers are giving precedence to a new term-STEAM. It represents all the subjects as STEM, but there is an A added to it. In the term STEAM, the A stands for Arts. This shift from STEM to STEAM is down to the fact that students need to harness creativity to succeed in the real world full of technological advancements.
But, harnessing the creativity of a student is not an easy job to do. Teachers need to educate their students on what STEAM is and how the inclusion of Arts into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics changes the modern world. It is only a matter of time that these students will need to prepare themselves to work in a society dominated by STEAM-based careers. Fortunately, with the help of this article, you will be able to prepare your students to make the transition into a world dominated by technology. Some of these preparatory measures are listed down below:
- Work On Developing Steam-Based Soft Skills Of Students
Educators need to prepare their students so that they can achieve success in the real world. One thing to accomplish such a thing is to focus on the core curriculum competencies. While students must understand all subjects, they need to learn some soft skills that will allow them to work in STEAM-infused careers with confidence. These include computational skills, collaboration, communication, leadership and social skills, and technology literacy.
Out of all these different skills, computational skills are of the utmost importance. It refers to solving a problem and coming up with an answer a computer can understand. These skills allow students to bring simplicity to their work, avoiding complex issues before they even arise.
- Discuss With Students The Various Steam-Based Career Opportunities
Undoubtedly, a degree in engineering such as an Online Master of Science in Civil Engineering might be a great place to start a technology-based career. But, do you know what type of job opening you can apply for once you graduate? Students might be able to throw out a few names of science-related careers. Still, it will be an uphill task to connect the dots between a career opportunity and STEAM. When you teach students, you can explain how STEAM is the bridge between Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and mathematics and how it can land them a job in the future.
And as STEAM does not exclude aspects of Arts, various job opportunities are waiting for students when they graduate. Some STEAM-based jobs include architect, video game developer, animator, interior designer, fashion designer, sound engineer, and much more. These job opportunities use a combination of science, technology, mathematics, arts, and engineering in their daily workload.
- Bring In Steam-Related Guest Speakers
Educators can bring in guest speakers from STEAM-related fields to provide their students with valuable experience from other individuals working in STEAM-based jobs. You can then ask your students to come up with questions to ask the guest speaker. These must be about stem vs steam and their benefits in the world of today.
Most job opportunities apply the use of STEAM in one way or another. You educate your students on how STEAM works in the real world when you impart this knowledge to them at an early stage of their education cycle.
- Assign Them Steam-Based Projects
Assigning STEAM-based projects to your students will unlock the true potential of both students and STEAM. When working on these projects, students will have the ability to hypothesize and connect between STEAM and its relation with the real world. On top of that, students will be able to walk away with a portfolio of STEAM-related work. They can then take this portfolio to a prospective employer to improve their employment chances in a STEAM-based job opportunity.
STEAM will help your students culminate in critical thinking. Also, it will improve their chances of employment in a high-profile science-based job in the future. After all, every educator wants to see their students have a prosperous career.
CONCLUSION
Educating students about STEAM requires a hands-on approach. And, it is a process not fit for every educator out there. However, the value it provides stretches far beyond the classroom and into the depths of the practical world. Through experiences and projects, your students will have the ability to be one step ahead of their coworkers in the modern workplace.
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