STEM vs. STEAM: What's the Difference

The main purpose of school is to prepare students for college and the future workplace. Some educators focus on teaching STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Others tend to add arts to the list, which makes a different acronym – STEAM.
In this article, we'll talk about the definition of STEAM vs. STEM, their differences, pros, and cons.

STEM is an educational approach that integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Elements of these subjects are incorporated into learning projects instead of being taught separately. STEM gives students an opportunity to develop the necessary skills for successful learning and future careers. STEM education helps prepare students for the changing world.
STEM develops skills like critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, communication, and teamwork. This approach teaches students to do research and apply their knowledge rather than just memorizing the facts.

STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Arts include dance, music, drama, language arts, design, and humanities. STEAM helps students study creatively. It uses problem-based learning methods so that students can study projects based on real-life examples. STEAM brings creativity into math and science by applying the concepts of art in cross-disciplinary learning.
Instead of focusing on separate subjects, project-based teaching improves creativity, collaboration, design thinking, and problem-solving skills. It helps students to succeed in STEM subjects even if learners don't seem gifted in technical areas.
STEAM focuses on developing skills like communication and creativity. These skills are crucial for students' future lives and careers as they help create a new multifaceted way of thinking.
STEAM is often called an abbreviation, though it's an acronym. The abbreviation is a shortened form of a word, while acronyms are made of the initial letters of separate words.

Proponents of STEM argue that STEM naturally involves art and other humanities as a part of engineering challenges. They say that adding extra subjects to STEM lessons can influence the understanding of science and math in a bad way and distract students from major disciplines.
STEAM proponents claim that the importance of arts is underestimated. The arts open more opportunities for different types of learners and give them more chances to succeed in learning. Art activities also teach students to communicate, which is extremely important in our technically-focused world. STEAM aims at developing imagination and helping students to be innovative and creative through STEM projects.
Educators shouldn't teach art as a separate subject but explain how to apply art to real-world situations. Students need to learn how to make their own decisions and solve problems that impact their lives.
STEAM develops design and engineering skills to make students learn to innovate and succeed in their STEM subjects. STEAM teaches how to build connections between different topics, which is essential in the interdisciplinary world.
STEAM is human-centered, meaning that it puts the personality of students first. While working with real-life issues, STEAM shows why STEM subjects should matter to everyone and how arts can work in STEM.

STEM school mostly focuses on integration. All lessons are well-rounded and inquiry-based. Learners will be able to use the acquired knowledge and skills for their work.

Adding the arts to STEM means applying creative thinking to real-life issues. Art is supposed to help find innovative ways of problem solving. It's not only about building future careers but also about being curious, independent, and passionate about exploration. Teaching students across different disciplines allows them to succeed in almost every field that they choose in life. STEAM subjects cover a variety of topics that help students identify their true interests.
Education is no longer about memorizing facts in the coursebooks. It's more about applying the knowledge to real-life situations and showing students how subjects can integrate.

The crucial thing to make learners like STEM is to make them curious. Students should be taught to explore, question, and play. Teachers should find the topics that interest learners the most. When students are engaged and passionate to explore, they'll be more willing to learn.

STREAM acronym adds reading and writing to the STEM program. Educators say that adding reading and writing makes the curriculum more well-rounded. Reading develops creativity and critical thinking and helps students prepare for future careers.

STEM integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM makes students interested in learning and forces cross-disciplinary learning that is crucial for college and the workplace.

Yes, you definitely can. STEAM incorporates the use of improvised materials, most of which you will already have at home. Read this article by Mario Pineda for more specific suggestions for how to do STEAM activities with household items.