Not Just ‘STEM’: Why We’re Adding the ‘A’ for Art
Imagine a classroom where a child codes a robot to draw or directs a movie with their own script — that is the power of blending tech and the arts. Art and technology might seem like they live in two different worlds, but when you bring them together, something pretty amazing happens. At Teach Me Technology, we believe that combining creativity with tech opens the door to deeper learning, emotional growth, and real world skill building.
Take our programs like Robotic Art and Cinematic Quest. These are not your typical STEM classes or art workshops. Instead, they blend both, letting students explore coding through storytelling or engineering through design. This kind of interdisciplinary learning actually activates more parts of the brain and helps students become better problem solvers and critical thinkers (Sousa & Pilecki 2013).
We have seen it firsthand. A student who loves to draw suddenly lights up when introduced to digital illustration software. A quiet kid who enjoys writing stories learns how to bring them to life on screen through film editing. These moments matter. They often spark long term passions and even plant the seeds for future careers (Winner, Goldstein, & Vincent Lancrin 2013).
The creative process is not always easy, and that is a good thing. Whether students are revising a short film or debugging a robotics project, they are learning how to persist through challenges. This builds not just their skills, but also their resilience, patience, and confidence (Hetland et al 2007).
And let us not forget the power of self expression. Arts integrated tech programs give students a safe space to share their ideas and to feel heard. When a student presents their digital art, performs in a scene they wrote, or shares a short film, they are learning how to communicate and express themselves with pride. These experiences help build confidence, empathy, and a sense of identity (Deasy 2002).
At Teach Me Technology, we believe that when you nurture both imagination and innovation, students do not just learn; they grow! By blending tech and the arts, we are helping kids discover who they are and what they are capable of becoming. And that is a future worth creating.
Sources:
Sousa D A & Pilecki T (2013). From STEM to STEAM: Using Brain Compatible Strategies to Integrate the Arts. Corwin Press
Winner E, Goldstein T R, & Vincent Lancrin S (2013). Art for Art’s Sake? The Impact of Arts Education. OECD Publishing
Hetland L, Winner E, Veenema S, & Sheridan K (2007). Studio Thinking: The Real Benefits of Visual Arts Education. Teachers College Press
Deasy R J (Ed.) (2002). Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development. Arts Education Partnership