The Rise of STEAM

WORDS and ART by CLAIRE TOLLES

The age-old friction between analytical minds and creative thinkers comes to a head in our modern age of advanced technology and innovation. Where do students and teachers stand? How does society play a role in influencing education? And, most importantly, how can the education system move forward with such discord? And the topic? STEM versus Humanities.

The die is cast. The lines are The path of an artist or writer or his- theorems, and facts so there is not as drawn. Society picks sides, spit- torian is more shrouded than that of much room for creativity.” ting arguments across a widen- a medical professional or science re- Whether it is acknowledged or not, ing chasm of dysfunction and disagree- searcher. there is an underlying perception that ment. “There is a clear linear [progression]” some students are good at science and

There can be no doubt that STEM for STEM students, explains Alkire, “At others predisposed to the arts often, (science, technology, engineering, and the end of my history degree, I didn’t those stereotypes go hand-in-hand with mathematics) “enjoys a definite advan- have interviews at history firms; they gender divisions. tage when it comes to funding and pop- don’t exist!” Students who display analytical thinkularity at this moment,” said Humanities This simple truth provides universi- ing are self-proclaimed as scientists or Director Dr. Charles Donelan, “but I’m ties across the globe a justification for mathematicians or non-creatives. not convinced that this moment will last.” their emphasis of the sciences. “There can be people that are inter-

Especially today, in the age of expo- The American Affairs Journal stated ested in both,” junior Zoë Stephens nentially-advancing technology, schools that, in 2018, the U.S. spent more money said, “but I think they lean one way and businesses alike sing STEM’s prais- on STEM education than “the entire Is- more than the other.” es. Of course, perception does take a raeli military budget.” Students who express interest in both hand in this societal imbalance. And, like ducklings waddling after fields usually feel pressured to pick one

“There are stigmas to both. I don’t their mother, secondary schools “mimic or the other. know how we begin to disassemble them,” said “There is definitely a stigma For this reason, labels are counterproductive. Upper School Head Me lissa Alkire. associated with STEM more so than According to Donelan, “The right-brain, leftWhether due to parental pressure or the fear the Humanities Department.” brain distinction strikes me as an oversimplificaof college admissions, tion. Good scientists are students feel the need to beef up their the priorities of higher education” and creative, and good artists understand transcripts with STEM-focused cours- will “likely continue [to do so]” Donelan the world in a way that’s at least partly es and APs. “All these stigmas hurt our said. scientific.” ability to think critically and be analyti- Laguna is no exception. With the Therein lies the crux of the issue. This cal and creative,” Alkire said. construction of long-promised science intellectual split between the analysts

But, perception--no matter how un- facilities on the upper school campus, and the dreamers is a man-made artifounded--is usually based upon a kernel “Laguna has focused on building out fice—an invisible line in the sands of of reality, and in the case of STEM hype, STEM,” Richard said. culture. the reality is a strong argument. But the issue is not isolated to societal The current climate might celebrate

“I think it really is for practical rea- perceptions and external pressure. As a STEM accomplishments, but without sons,” STEM program director Staci self-proclaimed humanities student, ju- the context of history and the enrichRichard said. “I’m sure the range in hu- nior Sofia Anderson notices the disparity ing culture of artists, musicians, and manities is wide too, but I think it’s the between the arts and sciences; “There is writers, humanity’s accomplishments are practical nuts and bolts: we need vac- definitely a stigma associated with STEM lackluster. cines, we need to figure out our energy more so than the Humanities Department. “For example, without the ability grid and what sustainable energy looks “STEM is based on subjects like sci- to explain science to non-scilike.” ence and math which consist of rules, entists in a way that’s

convincing and capable of changing people’s minds, important scientific discoveries risk being ignored or contradicted for reasons that are not only irrational but also inhumane,” Donelan added.

Many teachers work towards incorporating STEM into their humanities courses and vice versa, attempting to marry the two subjects.

“I do think we need to get rid of labels and build out the humanities,” Richard said.

“Look at Ashley Tidey’s work with Urban Studies. Just broadening our definition of humanities.”

In striving for this happy medium, Richard counsels students who feel pulled toward both fields and does her best to find this inter-disciplinary harmony. “Personally, I would love to find all sorts of space for the intersection of those two things.”

Regarding academic pressure and the worry of college admissions, Alkire said, “We have to throw out that worry. If you can say that ‘I took these humanities courses because they made me a better person, a better thinker, and a more interesting, creative human being,’ that’s a much better story than ‘I took all my APs.” A robust knowledge of STEM subjects is more and more crucial to every professional field-no one can deny its rising importance. Some argue that the humanities approach irrelevance—that it’s lunacy to add “A” for arts to the STEM acronym. But, since there is no true split between the STEM and humanities fields, the current surge of technology precipitates the rising need for historical and cultural context. “We need to be able to engage on that human, ethical line,” Alkire said. To that end, the time has come to abandon the inane distinctions—to leave STEM and Humanities in the dust—and make way for the brainchild of both: STEAM.