Columbia Program Brings Arts and STEM Together

Science. Technology. Engineering. Arts. Mathematics. One of these things is not like the other.

It’s a long-accepted idea that there is a large divide between the arts and STEM fields. Some believe that the two genres of study can never be reconciled, but what if they were more intertwined than people thought?

Evelyn Oropeza, a leading force behind the program Scientists for Tomorrow, believes that STEAM—not STEM—holds the key to the future. The Chicago based program, which partners with Columbia College, is aimed at both students and adults and centers around the idea of incorporating art into traditionally science based teachings.

“We have various programs available for students of all ages who are passionate about pursuing different types of careers,” says Oropeza. It doesn't matter if your interest lies in film, computers, or even journalism, Oropeza explains, “There is a little bit of science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics in every one of those careers.”

By getting involved in Scientist for Tomorrow, students and teachers can choose from a number of activities in order to help expand their grasp on STEAM concepts. Students with an interest in alternative energy can learn how to build a solar powered car during the 10 to 15 week lesson plan, or delve into the science of sound by building their own musical instruments. It’s a hands-on learning experience, something Oropeza believes is beneficial to participants.

“Education should not just be you come to class you take notes and then you go home and you forget about everything,” she says. “We try to teach the students a little bit of what the merging of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics looks like.”

Combining these elements of education can lead to any number of career options. Megan Mckenzie, 21, recently graduated from college with a degree in 3D animation. It’s an area study that, according to Mckenzie, capitalizes on the concept of STEAM. “My entire major and field is basically what you get when you combine arts with STEM,” Mckenzie says, “Its technology and mathematics and physics, you have to take all of that and make something pretty. That's what animation is.”

For Mckenzie, it’s crucial to introduce this idea of combining STEM and the arts in order for students to really grasp the full array of options they have when choosing a field of study. “There are all these ways to get technology and arts involved with each other and I think it's really important to express to kids more,” she says. “We tend to see it as it's either STEM or arts but a lot of the time you can combine the both of them.”

It’s a point Oropeza is likely to agree with. As she comes to the end of her talk, she express once more to the room, “STEAM is everywhere.” Oropeza smiles at her audience, “You just have to figure out how to incorporate it.”