STEAM Briefing Presenters at the Longworth Congressional Building: (from left to right) Amy Rasmussen (CAPE), Scott Sikkema (CAPE), Katie Lynn (Wichita), and Akua Kouyate (Wolf Trap).
This past Monday, June 24th, Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) hosted a STEAM briefing in cooperation with the Congressional STEAM Caucus. The STEAM Caucus is Co-Chaired by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Aaron Schock. STEAM is an arts in education initiative to add Art and Design to the national agenda of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). The goal is to foster the innovation that comes with combining the mind of a scientist or technologist with that of an artist or designer.
The afternoon began with an overview and welcome by David A. Dik, National Executive Director of Young Audineces Arts for Learning. Presentations were given by Amy Rasmussen and Scott Sikkema, from YA's newest affiliate CAPE in Chicago. Katie Lynn, the Executive Director of Arts Partners in Wichita Kansas, presented her affiliate's work with STEAM. Below is a video that documented her affiliate's highly successful STEAM project:
Akua Kouyate, from the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts presented how their Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts uses STEAM in elementary schools. She introduced Laura Schandelmeier, Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist and Megan Kowalczik, Fairfax County Public Schools Kindergarten Teacher who demonstrated a theatrical program that used the Jack and the Beanstalk story to teach kindergarteners basic math and comprehension skills.
Wolf Trap Teaching Artist and Teacher demonstrating a STEAM program.
For more information about this event, see the agenda and PowerPoint presentation below.
Agenda: Click to download.
Presentation: Click to download.
