Opinion: STEAM programs are steamrolling STEM
Jazmyne Boozer, Assistant Editor
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the original author. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of The Vision NGU or North Greenville University.
Photo courtesy of pixabay.com
The STEM program that most colleges and universities have adopted (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) recently got an update. STEM programs are in the process of becoming STEAM programs. This new “A” will represent the Arts, thus merging two worlds that are hardly ever together. Math and science majors will now have to incorporate artistic elements such as drawing and scaling to their degree program. So, will this take away from the students’ studies or will this be a beneficial fusion?
In most colleges and universities, there seems to be an underlying tension between liberal arts students and those who study math or science. This issue stems from how our culture views each field. Those who aspire to be doctors, scientists, mathematicians and lawyers are often regarded as smarter than those who pursue other career paths. This is due to a series of societal factors such as income of each profession, prestige of each path and power that one can wield within their profession.
For instance, some surgeons seemingly have the power of life or death in their hands while a custodial worker has the power of cleanliness and uncleanliness…one of these is more important than the other.
Now some people believe that this addition will not benefit the students. The argument is that students will be less focused on the harder classes that math and science can offer. Critics of STEAM say that adding the arts will dilute the already diluted American STEM program. The United States is currently ranked 24 in science scores and 39 in mathematics. Currently eastern countries such as Singapore, Japan and Taiwan are dominating these fields.
“I see the need for integrating more arts into stem programs, but I fail to see why it needs its own letter,” Nicole Shannon states. Shannon is currently a math major at North Greenville and aspired to be an engineer.
I believe that STEM programs could benefit from integrating artistic classes within the program. More than ever, engineers of all trades are needed. Engineers could benefit from taking a drawing 101 class that could aid in their designing process. Those who are involved in a technology-based field could benefit from taking a design class to help with their inventions and prototypes.
Sydnee Yates, a content writer for Firstinspire.org states, “the STEAM movement is not trying to take away time from STEM subjects. Instead, this movement is trying to invoke a sense of creativity in order to enhance STEM.”
I believe there is nothing wrong with trying to enhance a career field. By adding arts to STEM programs, we are getting rid of the stigma that says you can either be artsy or logical. It is possible to be both and it should be encouraged. This will encourage left brainers to utilize the other half of their brain as well. Can we really get mad at a new program that encourages students to use all of their brain?
When asked if she would mind taking more artistic classes to enhance her career, Shannon states, “It’s similar to how other majors have to take a foreign language. While it isn’ a core class, I still aids the degree.”
