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

Keywords

STEM, STEAM, Professional Development, Arts, Arts Integration, Integrative Learning

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

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