Warrensville Heights High School is proud to facilitate the interest, and active engagement of our scholars in STEAM programs.

Currently we have our STEAM ambassadors who actively participate in initiatives, conferences, and after school programs that encourage their passion for learning more about STEAM.

What is STEAM?

STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. The difference is that arts are included, ranging from visual arts, language arts and physical arts to music and more. STEAM focuses on sparking imagination and creativity through the arts in ways that naturally align with STEM learning.

Why is STEAM so Important?

A STEAM framework not only equips students with critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity but also prepares them for careers in rapidly growing fields. A report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth in STEM and STEAM-related occupations of 8% between now and 2029, compared to 3.4% for non-STEM occupations. It also lists median annual wages of $86,980 for STEM/STEAM jobs, compared to $39,810 for all occupations.

Regardless of whether students pursue a career in STEM or STEAM fields, the skills acquired through a STEAM education are applicable to nearly any profession..

“Educating students in STEM subjects (if taught correctly) prepares students for life, regardless of the profession they choose to follow,” technology innovator and President of Enterra Solutions Stephen F. DeAngelis says in an article in Wired. “Those subjects teach students how to think critically and how to solve problems — skills that can be used throughout life to help them get through tough times and take advantage of opportunities whenever they appear.”

A key aspect of this educational method is that students learning within a STEAM framework are not only instructed in the subject matter but also in how to learn, how to inquire, how to experiment, and how to innovate..(SOURCE : University of San Diego)

Benefits of STEAM education

•  STEAM Promotes Creativity-STEAM projects encourage students to think creatively and explore various solutions to common problems, fostering experimentation and risk-taking often absent in traditional education. Typically assigned to groups, these projects promote collaboration as students share and build upon each other's ideas.

• STEAM Promotes Collaboration- During a STEAM project, students collaborate to solve real-world problems, enhancing communication skills and utilizing each other's strengths. This teamwork fosters respect for diverse contributions among peers.

• STEAM Encourages Critical Thinking- STEAM projects focus on solving real-world problems through critical thinking and experimentation. Students learn to embrace a trial-and-error mindset, reassessing and pivoting to new solutions when initial attempts fail. This approach fosters essential problem-solving skills that prepare students for entrepreneurship and innovation in the workforce.

• STEAM Requires Hands on Problem Solving- STEAM lessons and projects encourage students to work hands on to solve problems, and work on projects with their peers with supervision and guidance from the teacher, while allowing students to critically think to solve problems on their own.

• STEAM exposes students to different types of thinking- Collaborative projects expose students to differing perspectives and experiences. There is also a strong emphasis on encouraging girls to participate in STEAM activities to facilitate their interest and participation in related professions. SOURCE (The Space Foundation)