What the R?

erco

Yes, R. I was told today that STEM acronym, which more recently became STEAM (art), is now STREAM, with Robotics. Hadn't heard that, so I Googled it. I found several STREAM references, none Robotics though.

Reading: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-furman/stem-needs-updated-to-str_b_5461814.html
wRiting (or stWeam): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-furman/stem-needs-updated-to-str_b_5461814.html
Religion: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2015/08/catholic_schools_add_r_for_rel.html

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

I absolutely have to applaud STEAM; the arts are very important to a well-rounded student. But next, it'll be STREAMING: science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, math, iconographics, naturopathy, and what else? Geocaching?

-Phil

Beau Schwabe

"I absolutely have to applaud STEAM..." - Phil

I agree, but a significant problem I have seen first hand with this type of curriculum through a $10k STEM project I helped write a grant for a couple of years ago, is that it becomes a race to see who can get done with the material the fastest. For those who "win" the race great, but for others it's not the best way to learn and build confidence among peers. One could argue that it all balances out in the wash by weeding out the non engineer minded students. ...Again, I disagree with this method. In many cases, the under dog might have a better understanding of the concepts that are trying to be conveyed. Mainly attention to detail... there is no way that finishing first will benefit here against the individual that wants to take a little more time and make sure that the result is correct, the curriculum simply isn't geared with attention to detail in mind when you have a group effort mentality to "whack the mole" towards completion.

...As far as changing the acronym all around, I think someone thinks they are being clever to broaden the scope of STEM, but it generalizes the overall concept of the STEM curriculum and only re-enforces my comments above.

erco

If you

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »

But next, it'll be STREAMING

I'm sure you wizards know and have "solved" the SPARKLING puzzle: http://www.braingle.com/brainteasers/39358/a-sparkling-puzzle.html

No cheating! I first heard about it over 30 years ago, on a radio station. First caller with the solution got concert tickets, so I was motivated, and there was no internet! Elton was awesome that night.

GordonMcComb

Meh. Can robotics really be separable from any of these? It encompasses them all, and certainly the original four.

The main selling point of robotics is that, as a field of endeavor, you get science, technology, engineering, and math. Adding it to the acronym soup ignores its strong point to begin with.

Whit

I was hoping the "R" was for religion! - I was already including Robotics! Actually - I was already including religion too! ;-)

Honestly - they are using STREAM at the Episcopal school here to indicate inclusion of religion and art.

GordonMcComb

Whit, I particularly like the story about how Jesus took seven Propeller Activity Boards, and made 4,000 robots!

( You know I'm just joking around -- I think it's great when people can combine the things they care most about.)

Whit

Jesus (like erco), would have used a BS-1 and had a pin or two left over. Thanks for messing with me! ;-)

An example of what I am really talking about is here - http://roboticsunderthestole.blogspot.com/2015/05/labyrinth-bot-project.html That is what I (and I believe you based on your comment, "when people can combine the things they care most about") am talking about!

A class/club lesson based on that post could be math/geometry, religion, art, history, geography (where is the original?), technology/robotics. It also solves a real world problem. Many churches would love to have a laybrinth, but do not have folks who can lay them out - having a robot do this work could allow the labyrinth to be scalable to fit a certain size space too!