The Rhode Island School of Design has championed a movement to take the STEM focus a step farther. The STEM-to-STEAM education movement would add the important components of Art and design to STEM. This new movement is supported by teachers, students, and business people. It is considered a solid framework for bridging the gap between the goals of the business community and the goals of education.
The STEM-to-STEAM Education Movement is gaining momentum. The importance of adding Art to the mix of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math is clear for new start up companies and products. The design aspect of any innovation is the bridge that takes an idea from theoretical and technical to user and consumer friendly. Some of the gains support for STEM-to-STEAM include:
As the STEM-to-STEAM movement continues to be championed by the Rhode Island School of Design and many other organizations around the country, it is likely that it will continue to grow and gain in importance in education for Kindergarten through college.