1. STEAM Curriculum Emphasizes
Importance of Art and Design
By Blue School

2. Introduction
• Based in NYC, New York, Blue School is independent
school founded by six artists. Blue School supports
adoption of a STEAM approach to education, which
advocates inclusion of arts curriculum along with
science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
pursuits. With a STEAM approach, schools foster
creativity and support the concept that art and design
are critical elements of the 21st-century economy.
Established in 2006, STEM is a response to observations
that the United States needed more emphasis on science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics research and
education to remain competitive.

3. STEAM Curriculum
• Championed by the former president of the Rhode Island
School of Design, STEAM encourages schools to integrate art
and design into their curriculum for students of all levels.
Schools that adopt STEAM recognize the importance of
science and math, but also seek to foster understanding of the
arts and history to provide important social and cultural
context for students.
With a STEAM-centered approach, schools can create
learning environments that encourage students to grow
through experimentation, creativity, and risk taking. This
approach can boost students’ knowledge and self-confidence
and prepare them to grow into engaged and creative leaders
in the future.