STEM – it’s a buzzword that wouldn’t seem to go away, until STEAM came along. While the importance of STEAM has been emphasized in recent years, and schools are offering more STEAM-based programmes like coding classes for kids, there is still a lot of confusion about what it really entails. The following is an analysis of coding and its relationship to STEAM.
What is STEAM education?
STEAM is an educational curriculum focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. As knowledge and skills in these subjects are in high demand in today’s workforce, STEAM education has been a big thing in education circles across the world. Even today, STEAM education and professionals continue to rise in popularity as the world continues to advance further in technology and digitalisation.
Instead of teaching each as separate subjects, the whole idea of STEAM education is to take an integrated, interdisciplinary approach. It often involves getting into projects and hands-on work to let learners make connections between the areas of knowledge and relate concepts to real-world applications.
What does STEAM education look like?
The idea that you need complex laboratories or expensive equipment in order to teach STEAM education is a common misconception. In fact, STEAM learning can take place almost anywhere, and can involve a diverse range of activities, from performing science experiments to coming up with creative innovations and more.
At its core, STEAM is about applying learnt skills to solve problems. To do that, educators are interested in teaching young people how to ask the right questions, formulate solutions, and think critically and creatively. That is also why there is no one way to teach STEAM; rather than get learners stuck in one field of knowledge or type of technology, the true spirit of STEAM is about nurturing young people who are adaptable to new and upcoming advancements.
Coding and STEAM
One popular STEAM-related skill is coding. It’s what the digital world runs on: phones, watches, and even smart appliances like microwaves and fridges all need to be programmed to work as intended. As one of the most in-demand skills in the workforce today, coding is set to continue its rising trend in the coming years. There is definitely merit in learning coding – not just for future job opportunities, but also in the skills it develops.
For instance, a huge part of coding is learning how to debug errors, in which every attempt to debug code is an exercise in problem-solving. Students are led to evaluate their own work, change up their perspective, and find solutions to make their code work. Beyond learning how their favourite devices, websites, and games function, coding hones future-ready skills while relating important STEAM concepts together.
Conclusion
If you are looking for suitable avenues for your child to dive into the world of STEAM, coding and the world of programming is definitely one of the best places to start. In fact, coding opens up a world of possibilities for them to further explore skills like web development, game design, and building virtual reality experiences.
ripplecreate is a coding school in Singapore providing a range of courses ranging from holistic coding programmes with weekly classes, to one-off coding camps for kids held during the school holidays. Simply choose the commitment level you prefer – and yes, total beginners are welcome! Start your child on their coding journey today by registering with us!
