I am writing in response to the Dec. 2 story “Options sprout from STEM” regarding education in the 21st Century. The current and new acronym as of 2011 is STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math). The scientific community is now embracing and finding the need to include the arts, which propels science, technology, engineering, and math, and allows for motion, movement, and momentum. Without the involvement of the arts, STEM would be at a loss to provide creative ways for drawing technical manuals, illustrations, or to provide connections to creative scientific and technical solutions. Visual thinking improves and enhances science and engineering abilities.
“There is a National movement to add to ‘STEM’ and give them ‘STEAM’!” — Harvey White, Qualcomm founder.
“The creative scientist needs … an artistic imagination.” — Max Planck, Nobel Prize in physics and pianist.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” — Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize in physics and violinist.
The National Science Foundation, National Education Association and National Art Education Association are working diligently toward a collaborative model to establish “STEAM.”
