The benefits of STEM and STEAM education are widely recognized for students, particularly given the rapid growth of green jobs. Makerspaces and other hands-on learning environments are proven to be highly engaging. They can also help drive enrollment growth, as seen at Onsted Community Schools, MI, as educational offerings could be a determining factor for new families who are considering where to settle or existing families who may be evaluating all their options.
Finding the right physical locations and classroom spaces for implementing STEAM curriculums can be a challenge for districts operating with legacy infrastructure. The good news is you likely don’t need to build new classrooms or schools to create a state-of-the-art space. Many school districts across the country are getting creative with repurposing outdated spaces and using sustainable funding tools to pay for their efforts without adding debt.
As educators continue to adapt their teaching strategies to prepare students for the future, a STEM/STEAM curriculum can help build the vital skills of experimentation and creativity, exploration and collaboration, dialogue, and critical thinking. Download the Superintendent’s Guide to School Revitalization for more insights on how schools can fund these critical improvements to learning environments. …