STEM-A
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
through
Art
Jane Crayton
http://stem-a.org
Jane Crayton
Artist, Inventor, Writer, Educator
STEM-A (Science Technology Engineering and
Math through Art) Founder
http://stem-a.org
RUST-E (Radically Urban Sustainable Technology
Exploration) Founder, CEO
http://rust-e.org
Dorkbot303 (People doing strange
things with electricity in Colorado)
Founder Colorado Chapter
http://dorkbot.org/dorkbot303
Media Production Consortium
(University of Colorado Student Group)
President
Live Interactive Dome (Denver Museum
of Nature and Science)
Catalyst, Participant
STEM-A Mission
To facilitate growth and education in STEM-A
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
through Art.)
STEM-A is a philosophy, and pedagogy style
which implements experiential techniques of
teaching art. STEM education is fostered by
creating a space for students to explore and
experiment in real-time learning situations,
with hands on activities, that engage the
student. Themes relating to culture, ethics
and aesthetics are transformed into learning
adventures in science, technology,
engineering and math through art.
Media & Technology (vs) STEM
Gallup Poll (Oct.2004) on Teen Leisure Habits
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Math and science scores for 12th graders continue to decline, with less than 20 percent of high school
graduates showing proficiency in science.
A recent survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project (Hitlin & Rainie, 2005) found
that roughly 21 million youth between the ages of 12 through 17—approximately 87 percent of the
entire age bracket—use the Internet.
45% of teens had a cell phone in 2004. Since that time, mobile phone use has climbed steadily among
teens ages 12 to 17 – to 63% in fall of 2006 to 71% in early 2008.
A new nationwide survey suggests that approximately 1 in 12 teens show signs of behavioral addiction
to video games.
In a recent study, the Los Angeles Times and Bloomberg found that nearly half of young teens ages 12
to 14 like to watch TV while they're doing homework, and almost 20 percent go online while hitting the
books. Girls are more likely than boys to do other things during homework time, such as talking on the
phone, watching a movie and text-messaging.
Saturation Overload
(ADT)
How can teachers compete with media and
technology entertainment?
Studies are showing increasing rates of “Attention Deficit” type syndromes, for
example technology is blamed for creating an epidemic of ADT (Attention Deficit
Trait)
“Attention Deficit Trait (ADT) is this over stimulation and saturation which
eventually creates this ADD like condition, where the’multi-tasker’ is
overwhelmed, and distracted by technology and all its nuances,” As defined by
wikipedia.
Technology Gap
Recently reported by the American Electronics Association, "regrettably, the
American K-12 system is failing to provide the math and science skills
necessary for kids to compete in the 21st century workforce, and the U.S.
higher education system cannot produce enough scientists and engineers to
support the growth of the high-tech industry that is so crucial to economic
prosperity."
% of Patents Filed
SOURCES: Task Force on the Future of American Innovation
based on data from National Science Foundation. Science and
Engineering Indicators 2004, Appendix Table 6-11. Arlington: APS
Office and Public Affairs. National Science Board. Science
and Engineering Indicators 2004. NSB 04-1. Arlington, VA:
National Science Foundation, 2004, Table 5-30.
Consumers [not] Makers
The National Science Board found that the United States is a
net importer of high-technology products. Its trade balance in
high-technology manufactured goods shifted from $54 billion in
1990 to minus-$50 billion in 2001.
• Are we too late to help America's teens reverse the sudden decline in scientific
and technical leadership?
• Will today's high school students be able to maintain the technological edge
that has provided America's extraordinary standard of living?
• Can they sustain the culture of innovation and scientific prowess that has given
this nation the military and economic supremacy it has enjoyed for nearly a
century?
Inspiring youth in STEM
• Push the boundaries in
technology exploration
• Help Students find a
personal connection
• Ethics and Politics as a
form of personal
expression
• Allow for failure, and chaos
• Do it, hands on. DIY & DIT
• Share, publish, twitter
STEM-A Classes
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Blogging "cyber tools"
Circuit Bending
Citrus and Circuits
Digital Photography "art of techno-ecology"
Digital/Eco Arts
Flash animations for Video Mixing
Live Broadcast Streaming
Poetic Terrorism and Guerrilla Art
Secrets of the Hive
Theories in Video Mixing
Secrets of the Hive, provides
practical applications of STEM for
youth, with emphasis on ecological
and biological sciences.
Sometimes learning [why] not to
fear, is the most valuable lesson
learned!
Above: Jane Crayton (Instructor)
Left: Students from SOH 2009 at
Science Discovery.
Lecture Series
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Blogging your digital identity
Digital Narratives
Ethical Technologist
Poetic Terrorims and Guerrilla Art
Re-appropriated Art and Collage
STEM-A Philosophy in Pedagogy
"Experiential hands-on education is the key to
engaging students, especially today with media
saturation"
-Jane Crayton
Why Arts to teach STEM?
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The creation of art helps to develop
inventive behavior needed for R&D in
STEM.
Art education helps students develop a
personal connection, and an ethical
relationship to their subject.
Art allows the student an opportunity for
failure, and the ability to practice
technique in order to find success.
Learning to understand art, teaches
tolerance, and respect for cultural,
religious, and even extreme thinking and
creating.
Arts allow the students to develop
creative and unique identities and styles
for thinking, living, learning and
inventing.
Balances the Gender Gap in STEM
education, encouraging girls to learn
traditionally "male subjects".
Students making paper with Sarah
Chung at DAVA for Citrus and
Circuits Class.
STEM-A Class Example #1
Students learn pratical skills in
photography and Photoshop, while
creating narratives on ecological
ethics.
Digital Photography: Art of "techno-ecology"
STEM-A Class Example #2
Students learn about the acidity of natural elements, alternative
energy, and how to read, design and build simple electronics.
Students measure
voltage of DIY lemon
powered batteries and
build Lemon Powered
LED Dream Catchers
Citrus & Circuits
STEM-A Class
Example #3
creative short-circuiting of electronic devices
such as low voltage, battery-powered toys.
Hacked by experimental artists who aim to reappropriate lo-fi digital toys for electronic
manipulation, and use in live musical
performances.
Circuit Bending, teaches practical
skills in electronics. From soldering
1/4" audio jacks to reading multimeters, students learn the basics of
circuits, and the complex avanteguard concepts of circuit bending as
an experimental electronic art.
Circuit Bending
Circuit Bending: Anti-theory/Hacking
Phase 1: Introduction and Theory
Participants will explore the anti-theory
and practice of:
- History of circuit bending and reappropriation of discarded electronic
mediums
- Technical aspects to circuit bending
Soldering (wires and connections
on electronic boards)
Programming (chips and cards)
Engineering (how will it connect
and be transmitted)
- Resources for circuit bending
- Circuit bending culture (Artists and
perspectives)
- Hacking your medium
YouTube Videos as a tool for teaching art concepts.
What is Circuit Bending?
Circuit Bending with
Reed Ghazala
Circuit Bending: Gracefully altering the
circuits of your childhood
Phase 2: Practical Experience
Students find discarded
electronic items from their
childhood, in which to circuit
bend. Working with the guide of
the instructor they will seek to
hack and reprogram their
electronic device for use in a
live demonstration or
performance.
Body Bending
Using exploratory tools
Adding components
resistors
capacitors
potentiometers
knobs, sliders, switches
Circuit Bending: Performance Art
Phase 3: Finishing Process
and Perspectives
An evaluation and feedback
session will be held so
participants can have an
opportunity to improve in the
future with regards to
technique, skill, or style. A final
performance of students
playing their circuit bent
instruments will complete the
class.
Special Thanks to our Partners, Supporters and
Affiliates
RUST-E