STEAM and 21st Century Skills

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics and offers students one of the best opportunities to make sense of the world holistically, rather than in bits and pieces. By removing the traditional barriers between the four disciplines, STEAM integrates them into one cohesive teaching and learning paradigm. As an interdisciplinary approach to learning where academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons, STEAM teaches students to apply science, technology, engineering, and math in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise.

Learn how Odyssey of the Mind addresses STEM/STEAM and 21st Century Skills.

STEAM SKILLS

Problem-Solving

Able to define questions and problems, design investigations to gather data, collect and organize data, draw conclusions, and then apply understandings to new and novel situations.

Innovation

Creatively use science, mathematics, and technology concepts and principles by applying them to the engineering design process.

Inventing

Recognizes the needs of the world and creatively design, test, redesign, and then implement solutions (engineering process).

Self-Reliance

Able to use initiative and self-motivation to set agendas, develop and gain self-confidence, and work within time specific time frames.

Logical Thinking

Able to apply rational and logical thought process of science, mathematics, and engineering design, to innovation and invention.

Technological Literacy

Understand and explain the nature of technology, develop the skills needed, and apply technology appropriately.

The term 21^st century skills refers to a broad set of knowledge, skills, work habits, and character traits that are believed—by educators, school reformers, college professors, employers, and others—to be critically important to success in today’s world, particularly in collegiate programs and contemporary careers and workplaces. Generally speaking, 21^st century skills can be applied in all academic subject areas, and in all educational, career, and civic settings throughout a student’s life. ( https://www.edglossary.org/21st-century-skills/)