The San Diego business leader and arts patron Harvey White is calling for a broader education focus that adds the arts to all the talk of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) skills. He began talking about it as board chair of the local economic development corportation. Now he’s formalized his call with an article in today’s San Diego Union-Tribune.
Here’s a sample
As a non-STEM trained executive in technology companies for many years, I had firsthand exposure to how they operated and what level of success, if any, they each achieved. The difference that created notable success versus just surviving was an innovative mindset and leadership by well-rounded executives who were comfortable with innovation and tolerant and supportive of innovators.
So, how do we address this looming “innovation gap” and is what we are doing with STEM sufficient?
This question and part of the answer leads to STEAM – going a step beyond STEM by assuring the arts are an integral and necessary part of educating our future innovators so they can compete successfully in the forthcoming world economy.
Why not move youth full STEAM ahead? Who has the right to say one subject is more important than another. I think students should receive a well rounded education. Then they can decide which one interest them most and which one they may want to pursue more in depth as they grow.