THE WOODLANDS THE WOODLANDS
C H R I S T I AACADEMY N CHRISTIAN A C A D E M Y FEBRUARY 12, 2016
Art Adds STEAM To Education It has been said that we are empowered by technology but enriched by fine arts. As evidenced by our recognition as an Apple Distinguished School, The Woodlands Christian Academy is on the leading edge of integrating technology in the classroom. However, as observed by School Principal Steve Zeal, “Many educators, including myself, would argue that STEM is missing a key set of creativity-related components that are equally critical in fostering a future innovative generation. I would suggest adding an ‘A’ for arts to the STEM acronym. Research shows that companies increasingly want workers who can brainstorm, problem-solve, collaborate creatively and contribute new ideas. When we look at America’s exports, while technology is the key aspect of what we do, the creative culture is the sizzle that sells the steak. Where would Apple be without the killer visual design of their products, their attention-grabbing ad campaigns, and the ease of their interface design? Without an ‘A’ there would be no outlet for all of the S, T, E or M.” Beginning with craft projects in the early childhood classes and continuing on with more complex art works in elementary, middle and high school, students at Woodlands Christian are exposed each day to the visual arts. The mission of the art department is to educate each student in
the four “C’s” - creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication skills, and to inspire students to explore ways in which the fine arts connect with other disciplines. As explained by Susan Peterson, lower school art teacher, “Art skills help younger students develop their fine motor skills and symbol recognition for reading; students are able to express themselves both verbally and nonverbally, and have confidence in speaking about their work.” Creatively, students use their visualization skills to generate different ideas and concepts. This skill easily translates into the thought processes necessary for the formulation of an essay for English class. Designing a mosaic or using tangrams to create artwork develops similar problem solving and critical thinking skills that are needed in solving math problems or learning geometry. Group art projects enable students to become comfortable working collaboratively and learn to establish different viewpoints and to find answers using different avenues. “It is vital in art to teach, to mold, to impart the role that each person has as that of a creator. As our Creator God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our own image.’, we must as His image bearers, bear the joy, the understanding and the responsibility of being creators in our own right. Whether it is finding a new solution to a math problem, writing an essay or making a painting, we must, absolutely must, enter into the creative process. Sitting back and being milk fed is easy. Memorizing facts is easy. But we must go beyond what is easy to the hard thing. To reach beyond what is given, to what we can give to each other and to the world”, Melinda Cohea, upper school Art teacher. Photos courtesy of Melinda Cohea.
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