March 5, 2025 – What Is STEAM and How Do We Teach It?

Sherri Seligson

STEM Your Kid’s Education by STEAMing It!

Sorry for the bad pun, but I wanted to pique your curiosity in the fascinating world of the sciences. The acronym, STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, and it is a quick way to group these often intimidating subjects. And I get it. Maybe we didn’t enjoy science or math when we were young. As homeschoolers, we might feel that we’re not equipped to teach these topics. But the beauty of being a homeschooler is that we get a second chance to love a subject we may not have liked when we were in school. 

Science helps us learn and understand more about God’s amazing design in creation. We can marvel with our kids about the magnificent octopus design and how this creature can instantly change its shape and color—despite it being genetically similar in design to a much simpler (and less intelligent!) clam. A look through a telescope can open our world to the vastness of the universe with its fundamental properties. And a view under a microscope can reveal the extreme complexity of a cell.

The ‘A’ in STEAM adds creativity to the mix as we include the arts in our study of the world. Whether it’s making a model of the solar system using recyclables, cutting an apple pie into fractions, or crafting a mechanical hand with popsicle sticks, straws, and string, we give our kids tangible ways to explore the complex design in our world. We can learn how science can be applied daily through learning how nutritious foods help us, why we use seatbelts, and how bleach works when we clean something. 

Plus, the more we learn about our world through the sciences, the more we are in awe of the One who spoke it all into being!

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About the author

Sherri Seligson, M.Ed. is a 21-year veteran homeschool mom, marine biologist and author of Apologia’s science courses, instructional videos, and more. Sherri loves encouraging moms and teaching families the wonders of God’s creation. www.sherriseligson.com; Facebook: SherriSeligsonAuthor; Instagram: sherriseligson 

Historically, technological literacy was a competitive advantage. Today it is a survival skill! Are your children learning what they need to keep up? https://stem.excalibur-solutions.com

Todd Wilson

Familyman Ministries

STEAM???

Hey Mom, 

I’ll tell you what, I’ll just answer the first part of this question: STEAM is the stuff that comes out of my ears when people talk about STEAM. I’m not kidding . . . it makes me hot under the collar. 

#1 I don’t like reducing complex issues into nice five-letter acronyms. It used to be four letters STEM . . . but arts was added because they felt left out.

#2 I don’t like elevating specific education focuses over others. Why not add a P for people skills, an H for hand skills . . . or an F for family skills? They’re just as important . . . maybe more so.

#3 I don’t like the undue pressure it puts on moms and kids who feel the need to beef up their STEAM efforts because some ninny-headed expert says that’s what’s important.

As I see it . . . parents can see the bent of their child and should teach in light of that bent no matter what letter it starts with.

I’ll tell you this, if my kid didn’t have science skills or aptitude, I wouldn’t teach science except on a fun engaging level. If my child was not a math kid, I wouldn’t teach anything above the basics of math. If my kid wasn’t an art kid I wouldn’t waste my time teaching art.

The point is: you know your child. Teach them according to that bent . . . even if it isn’t STEAM.

Ok, I need to calm down.

I’m fine.

Be real,

Todd

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About the author

Todd Wilson is a dad, granddad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions, retreats, and churches across the country. As founder of Familyman Ministries and the Smiling Homeschooler, his passion and mission are to remind dads and moms of what’s most important through weekly e-mails, podcasts (The Familyman Show & The Smiling Homeschooler), seminars, and books and products that encourage parents. Todd, and his wife Debbie, still homeschool two of their eight children (six have graduated with four married) in northern Indiana. You can read more at www.familymanweb.com.

Build Exciting 2D + 3D Creations with Our Fun and Easy to Use Pixel Puzzle Brick. Certified STEM/STEAM toy that is compatible with LEGO. www.Pix-Brix.com

Alexandria Letkeman

STEAM Power: Four Steps to Multi-Disciplinary Learning

STEAM expands on the education model STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) to include art, holistically rounding out STEM. STEAM sees that many school subjects are interconnected and helps students develop critical thinking skills, asks deep questions, and engages their creativity simultaneously. For example, when designing a modern apartment building, you have to consider science concepts, engineering principles, mathematical calculations, and aesthetic design. We can incorporate this into our everyday homeschooling with four easy steps. 

1. The Question—present a problem to solve by asking a question. “How can we overcome dust on solar panels reducing their efficiency?” Diving into correlating issues, or why this problem exists, you can guide the student through the background information and skills or processes necessary to solve the problem. 
2. The Search—this is the active research phase. Allow your student to dive into current and failed solutions. They can then form their own opinion and come up with an answer to the original question. 
3. The Presentation—in the workplace, a potential solution to a problem requires managers or higher ups to approve the idea. We walk through the same process in our homes. Have your student present their idea, either formally with posters and pictures, or informally with just their voice and body language. 
4. The Reflection—now, it’s your job to provide feedback on the presentation, just like a manager in the workplace. Learning to give and receive feedback is an important skill for adulthood. The student should reflect on the feedback given and revise the idea and make it even better. 

STEAM is going to aid students in becoming leaders and innovators in our modern 21^st century! If your student is engineering-minded, small steps every day can help them be holistically prepared for the adult workplace with STEAM. 

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About the author

Alexandria Letkeman began homeschooling with her family in middle school and has recently graduated with honors in 2020. Together with her husband, she has developed a passion for financial literacy, classical writing, and the freedom that homeschooling provides. In pursuit of those passions, she and her husband aim to continue the legacy of The HomeScholar and continue helping homeschool parents homeschool with confidence. One day, Alex plans to start a homesteading farm in Texas featuring mini cows.

Christine Weller

What Is STEAM and How Do We Teach It?

STEAM (which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) is an educational approach that integrates these disciplines into cohesive learning experiences to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The STEAM approach emphasizes hands-on lessons and activities that encourage students to explore, innovate, and connect concepts across multiple fields.

The inclusion of “arts” differentiates STEAM from STEM, recognizing the importance of creativity and design in solving real-world problems. Whether it’s developing a sustainable product, designing a bridge, or creating a robotic system, the arts inspire students to think beyond formulas and embrace innovation.

How Can We Teach STEAM?

1. Project-Based Learning: STEAM thrives on hands-on projects that encourage collaboration. For example, students could design and build a model of a solar-powered car, combining engineering, technology, and environmental science with artistic creativity.
   
2. Real-World Connections: Tie lessons to practical, real-world challenges. Exploring topics like renewable energy or space exploration helps students see the relevance of what they’re learning.
   
3. Encourage Questions: Create opportunities for students to ask questions, experiment, and refine their ideas. Open-ended challenges allow them to learn through trial and error.
   
4. Integrate Arts Intentionally: Encourage artistic expression by adding elements like sketching designs, storytelling, or creating visual presentations for STEM projects.
   
5. Utilize STEAM Resources: Explore tools like coding platforms, 3D printers, or robotics kits to engage students in interactive learning.

STEAM not only equips students with valuable technical skills, but also prepares them to think creatively and work collaboratively. By fostering curiosity and innovation, we prepare the next generation to tackle the challenges of the future with confidence and ingenuity.

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About the author

Christine Weller has been homeschooling her two boys, 10 and 6, since birth in the lovely province of Ontario, Canada. She is also a mom blogger and children’s book author. She is currently working to support homeschoolers everywhere through various roles at The Old Schoolhouse®.

Would your child love to build a marshmallow catapult to study motion or grow a cactus to learn about desert plants? Students can explore these topics and more on SchoolhouseTeachers.com with the Fun with Gravity and Climate course. Study with Bible reading, projects, treats in the kitchen, writing assignments, and research all while learning foundational science concepts, and having fun doing it!