Full STEAM
ahead for arts
integration
Technology Enhanced
Arts Learning is
committed to providing
all students with access
to arts education by
promoting integration
of science technology,
engineering, art and math
concepts to accomplish
educational goals.
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Leadership
“I didn't know that I had a different idea
about art. Somehow I've been doing Art on Fri-
day; now, I see art as integrating it within the
curriculum. I can honestly say that I' ll integrate
the arts more on a daily basis than what I'm
currently doing.”
– TEAL participant
The classroom studio buzzes
with the sound of 22 voices discussing the
next segment of today’s arts integration ses-
sion. Today is all about connecting visual art
and engineering. The content and instruc-
tion has been fascinating, as the participants
are introduced to this teaching and learning
approach that weaves together the arts and
other areas of the elementary school cur-
riculum. But now comes the hands-on time,
where they get to “do” and actively learn.
Teachers are doers; active makers, not
given to passive listening. In this, they are
much like their students. Yes, they can lis-
ten but not so much when faced with put-
ting practice into action. Teachers know that
doing is what leads to lasting learning, and
they know that this activity, which brings
together learning in visual art, engineering
and math, will not only appeal to but benefit
their students.
In today’s workshop, they have talked
about why integrating the arts in the class-
room matters, how it supports critical
thinking, collaboration, communication
and creativity. They have discussed the
multiple-decade drought in arts education
in California, and dissected “10 Lessons
the Arts Teach,” written by Elliot Eisner.
They watched Sir Ken Robinson’s videos on
creativity and why many schools don’t work
(those that do use teaching and learning ap-
proaches that teach creativity), and think-
pair-shared just about everything.
Now, out come the materials, the popsicle
sticks, tape, wood glue, scale and a tray of
rocks rolled out on a cart by the session fa-
By Lisa Marin