Holistic Development of a STEAM Empowered Big Picture You - A Look Into the Future of Education

STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics

Even with COVID challenges and stay at home initiatives, the Verve Coach practice kept moving forward. One very cool opportunity was a chance to present at a global STEAM Education virtual conference based out of Beijing, China. The conference was hosted by NAYTEA (North American Youth Technology Association), and the invitation was extended to me by NAYTEA Co-founder Sharon Feng. Doing a thirty minute presentation in the Future of Education section, I crafted a mock up of a potential STEAM curricula for grades 9-12, fueled by my own educational experience, life's experience, and socialization, as well as much research and actual teaching experience. It was a very uplifting overview of the exciting potential of STEAM Education.

Imagine a world wherein all education is approached and provided through a more holistic, big picture lens… that far better serves student empowerment and self-efficacy than ever before. This is a world of STEAM education. STEAM education provides an amazing opportunity by which to re-imagine and re-define what quality and effective education means, as well as the mission the institution of education should be fulfilling.

For folks not familiar with STEAM Education, it is basically STEM Education with the addition of Arts Education. But, where STEM Education subjects are more stand alones - combined through student choices and related influencers, STEAM uses the Arts as a mechanism through which to inter-connect all of the STEM subjects with the ARTS in one holistic and cohesive curriculum, district wide. (Think of folks like Leonardo DaVinci)

As my 11 Energies of the Verve practice involves something from all STEAM subjects - combining into one cohesive set - it is a pretty strong informal example of STEAM. By way of making strong connections, I’m going to take a moment to give some of my background in relation to STEAM Education. I had mentioned in an earlier article that my title has now transitioned to Educator and Trainer, and as such some of my specialties include: Implicit Bias Management & Bias Education, Bullying Prevention, Identity, Motivation, and Teamwork. I like to believe that me and my practice are products of informal STEAM Education, but with me it has been a combination of choices and natural occurrence rather than a formal educational curriculum.

In addition to my most recent formal education in Communication and Ethnic Studies with emphasis in diversity & inclusion, social justice & equity, and related multi-cultural topics, I also studied Astronomy, Physics, Algebra, and Chemistry which had a direct hand in the creation of the methodologies 11 Energies of the Verve and the Verve Coach practice – "where universal energies meet practical application”. With a strong background in the arts – songwriter, musician, dancer, actor, audio engineer – a central premise of all of my educational, training and coaching methods lie within all human being’s inherent creativity. Before a return to college and the subsequent founding of the Verve Coach Gordon practice, I enjoyed a career in technology as an IT/IS Manager and Tech. This background gives me a truly unique perspective by which to approach life's ongoing educational processes. It also allows me the opportunity to influence the institution of education in a very positive and collaborative way, allowing for super educational outcomes. In the name of collaboration, I share this story with you. Please let me know if you have a story to share with me!

For the conference, I presented an overview (a vision), of a potential all-encompassing STEAM based curriculum wherein STEM subjects remain subjects of serious and necessary study, with the addition of Arts as the glue that binds them together and brings about a natural synergy.

You can probably identify more than a few reasons why I was immediately drawn to STEAM Education. It is gathering steam rapidly and will be a trend for the future of education, as it is fully based in heightened levels of student/youth empowerment. It also has great foundation in Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and Positive Youth Development (PYD). Many of us cannot go back and enjoy STEAM Education for an influx of creativity in everything we do, but I sincerely and strongly believe that everyone has creative energies within them that can be harnessed and applied in practical ways, to all areas of life. It just takes some work to realize the energies are there and to embrace them. If you do, the results will be astronomical!

[email protected]? www.vervecoach.com

Calling out for your help!

Please visit this link to complete my 1 minute survey regarding STEAM Education! (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8DYCM59) – (Details of the purpose and how the data will be used are at the opening of the survey.)