The ‘A’ In STEAM

Art is a crucial component of our lives, even if we are not always aware of it. Its omnipresence has a significant impact on our well-being and cultural identity.

In 2006, Georgette Yakman proposed adding the arts to STEM education to create STEAM. Unlike STEM, STEAM incorporates creative arts subjects such as fine art, performance art, photography, and literature, emphasizing communication and expression of STEM-related ideas.

At The Mandala School, we recognize the significance of the 'A' in STEAM and firmly believe that it is just as important as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. STEAM education offers several benefits, including:

  • Encouraging creativity and innovation by incorporating arts into STEM fields

  • Helping students develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities

  • Providing a more comprehensive education that prepares students for diverse careers

  • Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among students and teachers

  • Enabling students to communicate STEM concepts more effectively through artistic expression

A student has fun drawing with colorful chalk, during recess at The Mandala School Summer Learning Program, 2020.

A student has fun drawing with colorful chalk, during recess; Summer Learning Program, 2020

Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.