smART::ART Integrated Formal and Informal STEAM Education
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Abstract
Engineering is an inherently creative process. The smART project seeks to engage underrepresented populations in those creative processes and in so doing, generate a better understanding of the interrelated domains of engineering, science, technology and visual art. Research has shown that some individuals avoid STEM engagement due to fear and/or lack of exposure to STEM concepts in their early years. Often these same individuals self-select into the arts. Moreover, the engineering workforce lacks gender and racial/ethnic diversity, which limits its creative potential. To explore this issue, this project uses an arts-oriented approach within a multi-cultural after-school setting to create a more diverse pool of students and teachers who are STEM literate and STEM comfortable. The project has produced a comprehensive arts-integrated STEM curriculum for middle-school informal learning environments.
Description
IMPACT. 1: Attending to the STEM learning needs of underrepresented populations and diversifying participation in the future engineering workforce. -- 2. Teaching design and engineering skills across the curriculum to meet the related demands of the Common Core State Standards in math, Ohio's New Science Learning Standards, and college/career expectations. -- 3. Integrating the creative arts into science to expand students' spatial thinking skills as well as their imagination and innovation capacities in authentic interdisciplinary ways.
OSU PARTNERS: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering - Engineering Education Innovation Center, Minority Engineering Program; College of Education and Human Ecology
COMMUNITY PARTNERS: COSI; Diversity, Inclusion & Partnerships Teen Programming; Beta by Design 501(c)(3) education organization; Hilltonia Middle School; Columbus City Schools; Metro Early College Middle School
PRIMARY CONTACT: Deborah Grzybowski (grzybowski.3@osu.edu)