Graduation Date
Summer 2017
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Education
Committee Chair Name
Eric Van Duzer
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Kenny Richards
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Colby Smart
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Subject Categories
Education
Abstract
STEAM, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, is an approach to teaching that integrates these subjects together for deeper inquiry and innovation. I surveyed teachers prior to the region 1 STEAM conference in January 2017 and after to determine if they intended to change their teaching practices to integrate what they learned at the conference. Follow-up interviews were conducted to clarify survey results. Research suggests that professional development is a key component to changing teacher practices. This study seeks to extend the assertion that a conference can be the catalyst professional development tool to change teacher practice.
A mixed-method was used for this study, including two surveys and interviews, to examine the scope of STEAM and how it impacted teachers. The 79 teachers who participated in the study attended the Region 1 STEAM Conference in January 2017.
Study findings indicated that teachers found STEAM to be a highly motivating and engaging strategy for increasing academic outcomes for students. Results suggest that more time is needed for teachers to plan STEAM lessons effectively.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Young, Stacy N., "Do the arts play an essential role in STEM subjects? How STEAM professional development affects teacher intent to teach subjects in an integrative manner." (2017). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 72.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/72