• What is STEAM and Why is it needed?


    STEAM is the combination of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics into an inquiry-based interdisciplinary approach to learning.


    In STEAM, connections are made between the various disciplines and content is learned in context to the topic being studied and not as an isolated curriculum.

    In Florida STEAM classrooms, students use critical thinking skills and creativity along with their knowledge of science, math, engineering, and technology to solve problems and generate new ideas.   STEAM classrooms can be part of Science courses, Math courses, and of many Career and Technical Education courses.

     

    Globalization has resulted in the movement of jobs to countries with lower-wage workers.  In order to compete globally, the United States must ensure that our students have the skills needed for the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century.  Research on job growth show that in the next few years 15 of the 20 fastest growing jobs will require substantial math and science preparation.   But when compared to other students on international tests of math and science, US students performed 25th in math and 21st in science of 30 industrialized nations.

    Based on the data, it has become clear that schools that provide a rich environment of challenging courses in math and science, and support student growth in these STEM fields are successful in preparing students for future positions, decisions and coursework