STEM and STEAM Definitions

Lisa Mosteller

June 22, 2016

Without resources, provide a single sentence draft definition for each of the following:

Science - the study of living organisms and the natural world through experiments and observations.

Jim - Questions, Observation, Experimentation, Variables, Inference (answering questions). Share findings of your study with others. If others cannot repeat it, then your research is within question. Look for a specific variable and specific outcome - validity is important.

Technology - the tools and devices used to find information.

Jim - Any purposeful modification of the natural world (to meet human needs).

Engineering - the design and building of machines, engines, and structures to create efficiency.

Jim - Problem solving using design.

Mathematics - the study of numbers and their relationship to other numbers.

Jim - the study of relationships between things, real or imaginary, based on logic.

Art - a creative means to express oneself

Jim - a thing created to be aesthetically pleasing or designed to provoke a particular reaction.

STEM Education- the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (all together, a combination of them all,  or each one on its own).

Jim - an intentional integration with these subjects and others subjects - an evolving definition (changed in 2001 and 2005).

STEAM Education - the study of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (all together, a combination of them all, or each one on its own).

The distinction between Science and Engineering - Science is the study of living organisms while engineering is the building or construction of man-made materials.

Interdisciplinary teaching and learning - Teaching themes across a curriculum to integrate subjects.

Theme based approaches to integrating subjects

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Then spend a few minutes (less than 5 minutes!) looking for others' definitions of each and modifying your definitions as you wish.   Post your "Working Definitions" or "Operational Definitions" on your blog and paste the blog post URL below.  You may make  and post a Slide document instead.