Brenda Killackey-Jones

STEAM Curriculum from an Arts-based Perspective

 

The question of how to define and develop STEAM education has been debated in educational research, resulting in educational models using art in different ways.  Since art holds many roles in STEAM education research, it is not surprising that there is little agreement on how to define and develop true STEAM lessons.  My research defined the six essential elements of STEAM lessons as found in current literature while using Problem Based Learning (PBL) to drive lessons.  Specifically, my case study/action research examined evidence of the six essential elements of STEAM education in the student reflections during and after a STEAM lesson.  I argued that if a PBL STEAM lesson was created using the six essential STEAM elements, then students would be able to show evidence of collaboration, communication, connection to the larger world, use of imagination, problem-solving, and creating student centered meaning.  By closely examining the essential elements of STEAM education, teachers will be able to use these elements and PBL to create meaningful and relevant STEAM lessons that meet the needs of 21st century skills.