As a classroom teacher and STEAM Integration Coach, I have seen firsthand the benefits of incorporating STEAM education into the classroom. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, and it has become an important educational approach to help students develop the necessary skills for success in the 21st century. Moreover, as society becomes increasingly dependent on technology, many school systems across the country are revising their standards to accommodate industry demands through STEAM education, including coding.
The Need for Innovation in Education
The current state of computer science education in the United States is varied, and while some schools offer computer labs and classes in computer literacy, not all schools have implemented the necessary computer science standards across the board. However, many school systems feel an urgency to adopt policies that provide universal access to computer science education and to ensure that all students have an understanding of computational thinking (CT) which involves the skills and practices for solving complex problems. This is where STEAM education comes into play.
According to a report from Code.org, the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), and the Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance, STEAM education has become increasingly important in the United States as schools seek to incorporate computer science education and meet the industry’s demands. The report critically examines nine policy principles that support K-12 computer science education across the country, highlighting the importance of creating a state plan and establishing rigorous K-12 computer science standards.
Mississippi and Wisconsin are two states that have similar percentages of high schools offering computer science but that have vastly different strategies for implementing Code.org’s nine policies, according to an article from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). In March 2021, the Mississippi Governor signed the Mississippi Computer Science and Cyber Education Equality Act, requiring all public schools in the state to offer computer science education by 2024-25. In Wisconsin, the state has developed a statewide strategic state plan to make decisions regarding state agency resource allocation, implementation, and industry partnerships.
These same trends are happening across the country, and as a result, state departments everywhere are making changes from teacher certification requirements to standards revisions.
Empowering Educators: Strategies and Tools
At EDGEucating, we understand the importance of STEAM education and providing support to educators through our vetted products, customized professional development, and curriculum creation services. Our products are carefully curated to ensure they meet rigorous standards for effectiveness and engagement, and our professional development programs give educators the knowledge and skills they need to implement STEAM education effectively. We work with educators to design STEAM programs tailored to their specific needs, helping ensure that students are prepared for success in the 21st century.
EDGEucating offers a range of products and platforms that effectively complement STEAM and computer science (CS) education integration into the classroom. These innovative tools empower educators to foster computational thinking, engage students in hands-on learning, and facilitate data collection and analysis.
Curriculum Support: At EDGEucating, we are committed to providing comprehensive curriculum support to educators. We offer a wide range of options, including existing curriculum choices like STEM Fuse and Expeditions.
In addition to these pre-designed options, we specialize in creating custom curricula tailored to individual schools and districts’ unique needs and goals. One of our notable curriculum offerings is the Blue-Bot Curriculum. This curriculum, developed by our team of experienced teachers, was specifically designed to maximize the educational potential of the Blue-Bot Programmable Robot. With over 15+ hours of content, this curriculum empowers educators of all coding experience levels to seamlessly integrate Blue-Bot into core subjects.
We are proud to mention that the Mississippi Department of Education has adopted our Blue-Bot Curriculum for grades K-2, highlighting its effectiveness in promoting computational thinking and physical computing skills. By incorporating this curriculum into classroom experiences, students learn control, directional language, and programming skills while gaining valuable communication and collaboration abilities through group work.
By offering both existing curriculum options and the ability to create custom curricula, we ensure that educators have access to the resources they need to provide students with engaging and effective learning experiences.
Enhancing Computational Thinking: EDGEucating offers a variety of interactive robots, including Dash, KaiBot, Pitop, and KUBO, which provide engaging and tangible platforms for teaching computational thinking. These robots allow students to code, problem-solve, and develop logical reasoning skills in an interactive and enjoyable manner.
Ready-to-Teach Lessons: EDGEucating provides online platforms that offer educators ready-to-teach lessons covering a diverse range of subjects and topics relevant to STEAM and CS education. These solutions ensure that educators have access to comprehensive resources that meet their teaching needs.
Data Collection and Analysis: EDGEucating offers tools like Databot and Kai’s Clan, which enable educators to collect and analyze data with their students. These solutions allow students to explore data-driven concepts, collect sensor data, and analyze it using programming and data analysis tools. Additionally, Kai’s Clan combines coding and physical gameplay, promoting teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Supplementary Resources: In addition to our digital lesson resources, we offer hands-on activities and project ideas that further enhance the learning experience and ensure a deeper understanding of STEAM and CS concepts. These resources include STEM challenges, lesson plan outlines, email templates, and loads of additional FREE resources.
Professional Development: To support educators in effectively implementing these resources, EDGEucating provides customized, live virtual, or in-person professional development training sessions. These sessions, facilitated by certified and seasoned educators, allow educators to deepen their understanding of STEAM and CS education, explore innovative teaching strategies, and successfully integrate the products with ease. If you prefer to learn on your own time and at your own pace, we offer online courses on an array of topics.
Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators
By incorporating these complementary solutions into the classroom, educators can effectively enhance computational thinking skills, provide hands-on learning experiences, and facilitate data collection and analysis, all of which are essential components of STEAM and CS education. EDGEucating is dedicated to helping educators prepare students for the future by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
Incorporating STEAM education into the classroom can seem daunting, but with the right resources and support, it can be a transformative experience for both educators and students. At EDGEucating, we are committed to helping educators make this approach a reality, and to preparing students for the increasingly tech-driven job market. By keeping on top of revised state standards, we can help schools implement the most current and effective STEAM methodologies, including coding, that will ensure students are prepared for whatever the future may hold.
