Too often, young students are taught that the scientific and the creative live in opposing worlds… that to be interested in the mathematical, one must forego a desire to explore the artistic. Educators, parents, and students are operating in a whole new world now. Not only can the left and right brain co-exist and work harmoniously as students learn, they should.
At Kid Spark Education, we believe that science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are not separate subjects — they’re deeply connected and depend on each other. We believe this approach is even stronger when art is added to STEM. By adding the arts to STEM, and creating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), we empower students to explore these relationships through creativity. STEAM doesn’t treat art as an extra step; it utilizes art as an equally important pillar to strengthen how STEM disciplines work together, making learning more engaging and meaningful.
STEAM education goes beyond teaching individual subjects. It brings science, technology, engineering, and math together and uses art to tie them into a single, integrated experience. This approach helps students:
At Kid Spark Education, we design programs that highlight these connections, giving students hands-on opportunities to explore the integrated world of STEAM. We do this by exposing children to STEM subjects at the onset of their education, creating well-rounded learning environments, and then continuing with progressive STEM learning all the way through 8th grade. This foundation and consistency are key in helping close the STEM education achievement gap.
In addition to the benefits we’ve outlined above, there are many upsides to STEAM education for students with a deep interest in engineering — and openness to art integration.
By combining art with STEM, students learn to think creatively about complex challenges. For example, when designing and building a structure, they apply math and engineering skills while using artistic principles to make it functional and visually appealing. Bringing creativity into traditionally practical fields boosts the vitality of each discipline both individually and together.
STEAM projects allow students to see STEM concepts in action. For example, building a wind-powered device involves science (wind energy), technology (design tools), engineering (construction), and math (calculations)—with art making the design innovative and aesthetically pleasing.
Art promotes teamwork by encouraging students to brainstorm ideas and work together to create solutions. This mirrors the way professionals collaborate in STEM fields. Traditional test-taking in silos has failed students in this regard. Allowing students to experiment collaboratively and with multiple disciplines simultaneously not only leads to a more complete understanding, it also starts building the tools they will need to work collectively in their future careers.
The addition of art helps students who might not connect with traditional STEM lessons, creating an entry point for diverse learners with different interests and strengths. In the traditional classroom, where courses are segmented by various disciplines, students often gravitate towards subjects that interest them and away from subjects that don’t. By creating a more integrated and inclusive curriculum, students who are more captivated by artistic and creative pursuits than say math, for example, can see how their strengths and interests play an integral role in STEM education, too.
Bringing STEAM into the classroom can certainly can certainly make learning more exciting and dynamic! The methodology is limited only to the imagination of instructors and the resources they choose to use:
Kid Spark Education’s programs for Pre-K–8th grade are built around hands-on STEM projects that integrate STEM and art. Students design, build, and refine their creations, learning how each discipline supports the others. Example: Students can create a robotic drawbridge that combines engineering principles, artistic design, and technology. This type of project shows how STEM and art work together to solve real-world challenges.
Incorporating tools like 3D printers or design software helps students develop both technical skills and creative thinking. By blending STEM with art, students gain hands-on experience with technology while learning to innovate and solve problems, preparing them for real-world challenges.Tools like the Kid Sparks open source 3D Virtual Parts Library further enhance this experience by allowing students to design and build their own parts, encouraging creativity and problem-solving in a practical, accessible way.
At Kid Spark Education, we are committed to helping students explore STEAM as an integrated system, not a collection of separate subjects. Adding art to STEM education strengthens these connections, helping students think critically, work collaboratively, and solve problems creatively. By embracing STEAM, educators can create richer, more engaging learning experiences that prepare students for a world where technical and creative skills go hand in hand. Let’s inspire the next generation to learn, love, and lead in STEM—powered by creativity!