TechyMike’s Thoughts on STEM vs STEAM: You May Not Like This.

I have been pondering the use of STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Math vs STEAM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math for sometime.

One day last week, I was cruising Facebook (a less often occurrence lately) and read some comments on a article related to STEM / STEAM.

I was surprised at the vehemence of many of the comments, but,

also came away with a better understanding of my own dilemma……and a solution.

History: I have always supported the arts and literacy. I do Book Reviews for crying out loud, TracyReaderDad.com. I also give books away for literacy for ForCarol.com. When I owned a coworking location, I wanted artists to post their works on our walls and we all had a great time watching a friend complete a sculpture in our place.

I also was quick to add the “A” in STEM when one of our college scholarship winners told me it might be a good idea to add it.

BUT…something was niggling (a word I picked up from a recent book I read and reviewed) at the back of my brain.

I have a Masters in Electrical Engineering (University of Kansas). I worked as an engineer at Grumman Aerospace, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, and finally, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. I kinda know what the analytical sciences / engineering are all about. Since I read and write (I can’t paint or draw) I kinda also understand the Arts.

Totally different things. Different brain activities. One I’m ok at, the other I kinda suck at.

As far as TechyMike.com goes, moving forward, I will forever and ever write blogs on STEM.

STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

Geek on!