EDITOR’S NOTES
Spring has officially burst forward after an intense winter, and I couldn’t be more excited. In
this issue of STEAMed, we’re planting the seeds for innovation with exciting lesson ideas, new
approaches to old problems and professional development resources to help you grow your
efforts faster.
Interestingly, this issue features more collaborative articles than we’ve ever had. Wondering
with Warhol brings back Robin Ward and three of her colleagues (pg. 16), while the STEAM
Studio Experience was written by art educator Arlene Shelton and her biology teacher
counterpart Rachael Black (pg. 29). Even our cover story - STEAM Runs Away with the
Circus - gave me the opportunity to interview two amazing innovators from Two Bit Circus (pg.
24). I think these collaborative partnerships highlight one of the major facets of STEAM
education: we can’t do this alone. Even if we have the best ideas and the most incredible
equipment, there’s just no substitute for collaboration.
Another fun fact about this issue? We have almost as many math, science and classroom
teachers contributing articles as we do arts educators. For example, Painting with Light (pg.
6) is written by John Lewis, a high school physics teacher. And A is for Algebra and Art (pg.
37) was written by Ellen Blashkovsky, an 8th grade math teacher. The balance between
integrating STEM and the Arts across content areas is such a positive force and I hope we
continue to see this momentum as we push towards the end of the school year.
Speaking of the end of the school year...have you started planning your professional
development yet for this summer? As we know, spring and summer are some of the top times
for teachers to continue their own professional growth. To ensure you get access to the PD
you most want, we’ve put together a spring/summer PD guide, found on page 48. It even
includes a cost key, so you can find professional development to fit any budget this summer.
Keep springing forward!
Susan M. Riley, Editor
STEAMed Magazine
3
April 2016 Edition