At Arbor School, teachers utilize technology and direct instruction for engaging and exciting instruction. Students learn through Universal Design (see below), Project-Based Learning, and STEAM through hands-on and visual methods. Arbor School recognizes that technology is the future of our students and that they will be pursuing careers that are STEAM related, many of which still need to be developed. Our students can learn programming, 3-D printing, digital art, and traditional art classes.

What is STEAM?

STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) teaches students to think creatively and engage in other subject areas using skills learned in the art. STEAM utilizes the arts and traditional STEM subjects as “access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking,” according to EducationCloset, a digital learning hub for educators. “The results are students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process,” EducationCloset continues. STEAM works by leveraging the benefits associated with STEM with the accessibility of visual art, poetry, music, and drama. Students can make connections and learn in various ways, reaping the benefits that a STEAM education can provide.

Benefits Of STEAM Education

Creativity

Teaching students to think ‘outside of the box’ causes them to approach tasks differently. They learn to be creative by utilizing various thought processes and skills throughout a classroom day.

Confidence

Approaches grounded in visual art, drama, and creative writing give students hands-on training in delivering a message and confidently doing so. When combined with science, mathematics, and technology-based topics, students learn to tackle tough subjects with self-assurance.

Problem-Solving

Learning new skills, whether technical or artistic, teaches students to positively approach new, potentially challenging situations. Using STEAM, teachers can help students solve problems creatively using various methods.

Collaboration

STEAM classrooms are highly collaborative, with students working together to grasp new information using multiple access points. They learn to share responsibility and compromise by working on group projects incorporating numerous disciplines.

Innovation and the 21st-Century Classroom

The STEAM movement is an important trend in K-12 education because of the rapid pace of innovation and the changing nature of the job market. “Education is under pressure to respond to a changing world. As repetitive tasks are eroded by technology and outsourcing, the ability to solve novel problems has become increasingly vital,” according to Jeevan Vasagar at the Financial Times. This puts STEAM at the forefront of education, and teachers who can successfully incorporate these approaches into their curriculum can help students prepare for the challenges and innovations of the modern world.

Reference:
New Skills: 4 Benefits of a STEAM Classroom, teachthought