Interdisciplinary Learning in Museums: When STEM Becomes STEAM

In this session from Thursday 5/4/17 we had Donna DiBaartolomeo (museum consultant), Anne Fullenkamp (Childrens Museum of Pittsburgh) KateMarciniec (Bonston Childrens Museum) and Eric Lennartson (Tapescape Artist/Designer). K-12 education is transforming and STEM has become a great pathway to introduce the arts and humanities (STEM to STEAM)

The following are some highlights from case studies which have shown how interdisciplinary activities can change lives: building on knowledge and developing new ideas built on a basis of current knowledge.

Anne: 
1. Tough Art program: introduces the idea that things can be made from natural items, a program that teaches artists AND staff how to make interactive pieces to withstand thousands of children and still stay true to an artistic component, not just an exhibit component.

Tough Art Exhibit 2010

Tough Art Exhibit 2014

Children can play and learn independently, as well as with others. No explanation is needed! people begin to experiment and light up different objects, play different sounds.

2. CMP Makeshop (developed in 2012): Hands on activities that connect STEM to art.

*These are not isolated programs but have become part of the museum's culture!

- Light peg building and prism photography: introduces the idea of prisms and how they are made in nature as well as the science behind how they are created, and combines it with the photography aspect of art.

Description of Projects

All the pieces were constructed for $2500.  not all pieces require a lot of money.

Kate:

Her goal: Be able to put objects into the hands of visitors, and to meet the visitors where they are in their life and build and expand on what they are doing. engage, provide self-guide informal learning, always allow the child to lead. every child is walking in with a different background. She has a degree in archeology and has too many times been told to be careful or not to touch things.

The challenge: Engage visitors in the escitment and reward of steam discovery

The "How": Exploit the power of self guided informal learning across multiple disciplines to ignite creativity of young minds.

You find children of all different ages and abilities: Some were familiar with the concept of maker spaces and had advanced tactile abilities while others were having trouble using scissors. This led to the creation of the Cardboard Creations Program:







Cardboard Creations

physical, cognitive, language barriers: multidisciplinary approaches to resolve this. artists interface with visitors and discuss the process, talk to the artist about the concept and see what it is to be an artist.

*don't be afraid to reach out to local artists. they want the exposure as well. collaborating with artists on these installations has really been a success for Boston. Budget of $500 to $2500 material budget. very small!

Eric:
designs Tape Art Exhibits: creative problem solving/ immersive experience

interdisciplinary integration of all educational subjects

Getting more ppl involved in the process, has worked with a number of museums. Designed leaves with LEDs embedded in them

exposure! He uses social media to get the word out about his art.  He had some great exhibit pieces to show :)

-Christina Olmeda