Arts Education The United States and many other countries seem to be obsessed with STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Engineering) education. President Obama himself has led the charge to sway more students into pursuing STEM- related careers. Of course, the merits of STEM education are fairly self- evident: what would our society be without biologists, chemists, doctors, and surgeons? Where would society be today without Einstein, Bohr, and Watson and Crick? And yet, STEM education seems, to many, all too academic. Many professionals are now pushing for an emphasis on STEAM (where the A stands for Arts) education, since the arts ostensibly cultivate a broader skillset. STEM education is undoubtedly necessary for the United States to lead in technological innovation, but what is lost by the de-emphasis on arts education that takes place as more and more students move to study STEM? Given the merits of an arts education, it is worth examining the implications of this movement away from the arts and toward STEM. Read and carefully consider these perspectives. Each suggests a particular way of thinking about the decreasing focus on arts education in the United States. Perspective One Perspective Two Perspective Three Write a unif multiple per Art is born through the solving of problems. How do I turn this clay into a sculpture? How do I portray a particular emotion through dance? How will my character react in this situation? Kids that participate in the arts are consistently being challenged to solve problems. All Obtaining “harder” skills such as those applicable to many STEM careers is surely critical yet even those working in the most highly technical fields can benefit from the “well- rounded” advantages that the liberal arts can provide . Likewise, those schooled in the liberal arts must have Students in the United States must focus more on STEM education in the coming decade. In South Korea, 37.8% of students graduate with degrees in STEM fields; in China that number is 46.7%. In fact, the United States ranks 52 nd worldwide in STEM education, and more than 65% of students

Arts Education ACT Essay Prompt

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Arts Education

The United States and many other countries seem to be obsessed with STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Engineering) education. President Obama himself has led the charge to sway more students into pursuing STEM-related careers. Of course, the merits of STEM education are fairly self-evident: what would our society be without biologists, chemists, doctors, and surgeons? Where would society be today without Einstein, Bohr, and Watson and Crick?

And yet, STEM education seems, to many, all too academic. Many professionals are now pushing for an emphasis on STEAM (where the A stands for Arts) education, since the arts ostensibly cultivate a broader skillset. STEM education is undoubtedly necessary for the United States to lead in technological innovation, but what is lost by the de-emphasis on arts education that takes place as more and more students move to study STEM? Given the merits of an arts education, it is worth examining the implications of this movement away from the arts and toward STEM.

Read and carefully consider these perspectives. Each suggests a particular way of thinking about the decreasing focus on arts education in the United States.

Perspective One Perspective Two Perspective Three

Write a unified, coherent essay in which you evaluate multiple perspectives on the decreasing focus on arts education in the United States. In your essay, be sure to:

Art is born through the solving of problems. How do I turn this clay into a sculpture? How do I portray a particular emotion through dance? How will my character react in this situation? Kids that participate in the arts are consistently being challenged to solve problems. All this practice problem solving develops children’s skills in reasoning and understanding. This will help develop important problem-solving skills necessary for success in any career.

Obtaining “harder” skills such as those applicable to many STEM careers is surely critical yet even those working in the most highly technical fields can benefit from the “well-rounded” advantages that the liberal arts can provide. Likewise, those schooled in the liberal arts must have at least basic skills in the sciences and mathematics. It’s not either-or. Only a combination of STEM and arts programs will meet the future needs of our nation and the world at large.

Students in the United States must focus more on STEM education in the coming decade. In South Korea, 37.8% of students graduate with degrees in STEM fields; in China that number is 46.7%. In fact, the United States ranks 52nd worldwide in STEM education, and more than 65% of students who get engineering degrees in the U.S. aren’t even U.S. citizens. How are we to remain competitive in a STEM economy without STEM education?