This story begins some 35 years ago, with a forward thinking school principal named Ronny Green. Mr. Green was
an early promoter of art integration. He knew his students had little knowledge of great artists or famous works of
art, and most had neither the means nor motivation to study such masterpieces. He decided if students could not go
to the art, then the art would have to come to them. Mr. Green purchased prints of several great works, had them
framed, and displayed these in prominent locations in the school hallways. Their curiosity aroused, teachers and
students were encouraged to incorporate the art into the school curriculum, not just in art classes but in other
subjects as well.
Today, Dr. Green is a Professor of Curriculum,
Leadership and Technology. He’s logged more than 700
visits to over 200 schools, working on school
improvement and guiding the next generation of school
leaders. Like many others, he noted the decline of art in
the school curriculum and the growing emphasis on
subject areas associated with STEM. He decided to
revive and renew his original idea for art integration,
and in the summer of 2016 STEAM On Tour was born.
STEAM On Tour is an engaging exploration of art
masterpieces that connects great art and artists to
science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM). This art integration, known as STEAM,
encourages students and teachers to connect technical
and creative content.
Start-Up and Philanthropy
Dr Green and his prints.
On Tour began as a true bootstrap endeavor with Dr. Green funding project development and family members
volunteering to help. He chose and researched the art pieces, carefully sorting a group of more than 50 potential
prints to reach the final collection of 24. He wrote the original guidebook and called upon colleagues to review the
STEM content. His wife Delores served as an editor for the first edition. His brother David agreed to build the
frames, mat the prints and assemble the final framed artworks. Ronny personally delivered the initial set of prints
to a local school.
Ronny has graciously donated the On Tour project to the Educational Services Consortium, a not-for-profit
foundation focusing on school improvement and student success since 1973. Proceeds from sales of this project
will help support educators and students served by the Educational Services Consortium.
STEAMed Magazine
17
October 2016 Edition