Florence Nightingale is best known for being ‘the lady with the lamp’, and one of the nurses of the Crimean War. As the pioneer of modern nursing, she was unwittingly one of the original STEM practitioners in the world. But here’s a lesser-known fact about her – she is one of the first women to have used visualisations, rose charts, and diagrams to showcase medical statistics. This was long before any kind of software or technology-assisted and aided her in their creation. Nightingale was the original data scientist, and an innovator in using visuals to reform healthcare. In a nutshell, she was a forerunner in what we now call ‘STEAM’ education. Along with the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths Applications of STEM, the extra ‘A’ stands for Art.
Even if your children are oriented towards art and creativity, there is no reason that you shouldn’t allow them to explore STEAM options, combining scientific studies with their artistic skills. Here are some ways to engage artsy kids in STEM learning.
Take Inspiration From Nature
Introduce biological concepts and information on the natural world to younger kids. Nature is your classroom as far as STEAM learning goes. There is an abundance of beauty, contained within science. Ask younger kids to study the veins of different leaves, and write about how they vary. You can also ask them to collect fallen flowers and create a scrapbook of dried, pressed flowers with information on each botanical species. If you live near a beach, take them for a walk to spot shells, or Olive Ridley turtles in the hatching season. Bird-watching is another engaging and enjoyable activity that most kids love. You don’t have to do much - make use of your own backyard, or a nearby local park to begin with. You can also ask your children to make a bird bath or create a small habitat.
Chemistry Can Be Creative
Your artistic child might be overwhelmed with the idea of chemical equations, and intimidating test tubes with complicated substances. Never fear! Try out chemical experiments to create practical, real-time products that they will love. Remember, these should ideally be done under parental supervision, particularly if heating processes and chemicals are involved. Children will love the idea of making their own soaps. Today, there are plenty of soap-making kits in the market, with child-safe and age-appropriate ingredients. Your child can try out a plethora of colours, scents, and shapes, depending on their choices. Other than being a great home project, this is also a fabulous gift and a utilitarian product. Candle-making is another way to engage kids in a useful way. Kids who love writing can make a batch of invisible ink, and write to one another using it. Not only is it great fun, it promotes bonding and teamwork. DIY volcanoes are also fun ways to keep groups of kids happy.
Engineering Needs Design Skills
Zaha Hadid was an Iraqi-British architect known for her deconstructivism. Her buildings pushed the boundaries of design, bringing her creative juices to the forefront. As an engineer, she also constructed bridges that were pathbreaking. There’s no reason why engineering should be staid and one-dimensional. In fact, if you have a creative child, they can come up with imaginative ideas to push the boundaries of design. Engineering is really a combination of methodical processes and innovative problem-solving. Get your children to design their own simple machines using everyday objects, and foster open-ended play with toys that involve construction or building in some way. Older children can use technology aids to visualise and create 3D models, and experiment using basic coding concepts. If there are science or engineering museums, your children can visit to gain a visual perspective on the practical applications of engineering.
Mathematics Can Help You Measure… And More
Mathematics can be creative as well! If your artsy child is younger, get them to do simple activities such as stringing a certain number of beads on a necklace, or identifying different shapes around the room. You can also get them to compare the heights of various pieces of furniture, so they are able to compare sizes. Older kids can whip up a batch of lemonade, and then measure them out exactly in 200ml glasses to distribute. They can also weigh objects around the house and record their findings. Teach them fractions through playing dominoes, or allow them to create their own tessellations using their imagination.
Even if your child is of an artistic mindset, there’s no reason to rule out STEM subjects or STEM-related activities from their schedule and curriculum. As Albert Einstein once said, ‘The greatest scientists are artists as well’. Combining the benefits of art, music, or literature with a STEM education during their formative years, can provide them with a springboard to success.