Preservice Teachers Experience the Arts and Create STEAM Connections Toward Equity and Access

• In Event: Roundtable Session 48
  In Roundtable Session: Innovative Learning Across the Arts: Creativity in Museum, Service-Learning, and College Contexts

Abstract

Understandings from inner city pre-service math and science teachers based on art and STEM are investigated. Pre-service teachers experienced art forms including drama, music, visual arts, dance and a creative lab where they made connections between the arts and their classroom context. While some emerging connections between art and content surfaced, they were not developed. Greater ties were made between the art experiences and creating a safe space for participation and language development. Scaffolded opportunities to enact some of the viable connections between art and STEM might facilitate more consistent practice and refinement of STEAM. Lastly, time and space for developing more concrete links between the arts and STEM by teachers might generate nascent understandings regarding a viable STEAM framework.

Authors

• Imelda Nava, University of California - Los Angeles

• Jaime Park, University of California - Los Angeles

• Jan Kirsch, Inner-City Arts