STEAM vs STEM: Understanding the Difference and the Role of Arts in Education

July 25, 2024 / By Tyler Berrigan

Recent research suggests that the inclusion of the arts into STEM education—transforming it into STEAM education—is having a significant positive impact on student learning. In one study, for example, third-grade students who participated in a more integrated STEAM-based approach showed improvement in learning motivation, self-efficacy, and the acquisition of knowledge. STEAM and STEM education are both essential, but STEAM is reaching out to a broader range of young and innovative problem solvers.

In this article, we aim to answer some key questions about STEAM versus STEM education, explore the benefits of including the arts in STEM, and share some tips for implementing STEAM learning at home.

STEAM versus STEM: What Does STEAM Stand For?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The term “STEM” has been around for some time. But it is not just a phrase used by educators; it is used by businesspeople, entrepreneurs, leaders, politicians, universities, and colleges to describe educational programs and initiatives centered around those core principles.

However, in recent times, additional letters have started to appear in the acronym. For example, you may have noticed a movement toward STEAM education over STEM education.

The difference between STEM and STEAM lies in a single letter – ‘A’. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. STEAM incorporates the arts into STEM education.

The phrase “the arts” can indeed be quite broad, but in this context, it is the inclusion of humanities, language arts, dance, drama, music, visual arts, design, and media studies into STEM education—a blending of STEAM arts with scientific disciplines.

Understanding the Evolution – From STEM to STEAM

Initially, many felt that the arts and STEM are like oil and water—they simply don’t mix. Art is more creative and subjective, whereas STEM is more for the objective, analytical, and logical thinker.

However, many pundits now agree that the arts need not be at loggerheads with more traditional subjects. Rather, they build on and enhance each other. Some would even argue that STEAM is a much more comprehensive model than STEM, with many additional benefits unlocked.

Unlocking the Benefits of STEAM Over STEM

Firstly, there is a growing need for the STEM workforce to diversify and deepen its problem-solving skill set. According to an article by the University of Central Florida, incorporation of creative skills and knowledge of the arts may achieve this very goal. A mixture of so-called “soft” and “hard” skills is becoming increasingly sought after in many job markets and is a powerful combination for a college graduate to possess. STEAM education helps to address this need.

Secondly, STEAM education is also about greater inclusivity. As highlighted by LEGO Education, “STEAM is often considered more inclusive than STEM because it allows kids who are naturally more gifted in creative subjects to feel valued and to let their talents flourish.” In other words, STEAM and STEM education together are reaching out to a broader range of young people and increasing the number of students engaging with these fields.

Recent research also supports the idea that incorporating the arts into STEM education is a value-adding notion.

STEAM Education is Already Having a Greater Impact

Early research on the benefits of STEAM education is promising. In one study, which investigated the impact of STEAM and “maker” principles on student learning, it was found that students improved in their learning motivation, self-efficacy, and development of understanding. This trend is being observed in many parts of the world.

A recent report from the Education Commission of the States entitled “Research and Policy Implications of STEAM Education for Young Students” also builds a strong case for the inclusion of the arts. Among several findings, arts integration has proven benefits for student performance in several content areas and skills. Children who participated in an arts-integrated program showed enhanced positive emotions such as happiness. Integrating dance, drama, and artistic design into curricula led to improved understanding of more traditional STEM principles.

In light of these key benefits, many families are looking to integrate STEAM learning at home. How can this be done?

Tips and Tricks for Including the Arts into STEM Learning at Home

• Illustrate concepts or objects. Use simple tools such as coloured pencils, pens, crayons, charcoal, markers, and paints. A trip to an office supplies megastore or an art shop is all the inspiration you will need, and you may find some “left of field” stationery or toys to help produce something unique. One suggestion is to make black and white images for others to colour in. Could you draw a large-sized plant or animal cell and hand it to a sibling to colour in? Another suggestion is to go local—paint a picture using ochres made from rocks around your house. Simply grind a soft coloured rock into a fine powder, add a little water, and get painting!
• Log everything in still images. Use your phone to take photos in detail, up-close, from afar, inside and out of anything hands-on you are doing. Then use these images to create a poster, scrapbook, diary, logbook, or collage. Or simply upload them to your socials for your followers. One suggestion is to take a phone or camera with you the next time you go on a hike or bush walk. Stop and photograph things of interest or any biological specimen you find along the way. You could then print these images out and recreate the ecosystem on your bedroom wall at home showing the interactions between the living and non-living parts.
• Make a movie. To create a movie summarizing a STEM concept, start by choosing a topic such as the water cycle. Write a simple script and gather materials for props and backdrops. Use a smartphone or tablet to film scenes, then edit the footage using free software like iMovie or Adobe Spark. This activity not only reinforces scientific concepts but also develops technical and creative skills. Another favorite of many is “stopmotions” or “slowmations”—animations made by sequencing still images together. Or what about a timelapse video to show the leaves turning brown in the fall? What a great opportunity to learn about the seasons.
• Explore colours, patterns, and shapes found in nature. Use these in the creation of pictures, mobiles, dioramas, and sculptures—and go to town with it! Try to link these colours, patterns, and shapes with examples you see in the world around you. For example, consider the so-called “golden ratio” and fractal patterns. This efficient arrangement is found in branching and spiral patterns in nature. Trees, ferns, seashells, neurons, spiral galaxies, lightning bolts, and river branching are all examples that display fractal patterns. Could you possibly build or sculpt such objects, including the golden ratio in your design, and explore this principle further?
• Make models. Modeling is an essential skill for scientists. So why not 3D print, build, sculpt, and mold a concept? Doing so can really bring ideas to life. A classic modeling exercise is making a papier-mâché volcano from old newspaper and a simple glue made from flour and water. But you can get even more creative by painting the model and adding real-life structures to the mountainside. Why not get your volcano to erupt using the reaction between vinegar and baking powder? Go even more elaborate and run plastic tubes underneath the volcano and syringe the vinegar into the bottom of the crater for a more realistic eruption!
• Act, dance, and sing. Acting out processes, discoveries, or advances in science is a unique way to engage with concepts. Make a song or a dance about what you’ve learned. Could you perhaps reenact a famous discovery? How would Alexander Fleming have reacted when he discovered penicillin? Or with the smaller kids, could you act out a SpaceX rocket launch? Get your countdowns and rocket noises ready!

STEAM Kits for Busy Home Educators

While the suggestions listed above may get the cogs turning, finding the time to organize enriching STEAM activities may be a real challenge, especially if you are a busy homeschooling family. There are more things than just STEAM lessons that you need to figure out. Family life is a wild ride!

If this describes your situation, you may have already considered adding a high-quality STEAM kit to your arsenal, particularly for the 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12+ age brackets.

Enter Tinkerer's engaging and beautifully crafted STEAM kits! We have STEAM activities for preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and high school covered!

Our kits have been expertly designed to seamlessly incorporate artistic principles into interactive and tactile STEM learning experiences. They contain an abundance of easy and fun STEAM arts activities and projects for children of all ages.

So if you are time-limited or don’t know where to start, let Tinkerer give you a hand. We have done the hard work already, producing educational toys that are tailored to your family's needs.

STEAM vs STEM: Why the Arts Matter in Education

In conclusion, the evolution of STEM to STEAM is a positive step forward. The debate of steam vs stem, stem vs steam, and steam versus stem is not just about an added letter; it's about a more comprehensive model that offers clear benefits. Research indicates that STEAM education is enhancing learning and engagement. Indeed, including the arts into STEM learning—embracing STEAM arts—is a worthwhile pursuit for any home learner!

To that end, we are here to help. Start incorporating STEAM principles at home by ordering a subscription box from Tinkerer!