This book examines the push and pull of factors contributing to and constraining conversion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education programs into STEAM (science, technology, engineering, math and arts) education programs.  A large driving force for STEM-to-STEAM conversions is the emerging awareness that the scientific workforce finds itself less than ideally prepared when engaging in the complex suite of emerging, multifaceted issues, or so-called ‘wicked problems’, such as global climate change, waste and social injustice, and pandemic diseases. Dealing effectively with wicked problems requires cross-disciplinary expertise and the ability to insert technical and scientific understanding effectively into areas of public planning and policy. Simply put, our traditional STEM education systems historically have produced excellent chemists, physiologists, biologists, geologists, physicists and the like, but specific subject-matter expertise alone is no longer sufficient. To solve wicked problems, we need a much more broadly trained, highly skilled scientific workforce capable of comfortably engaging in team-based, highly cross-disciplinary investigations operating within a transparent and socially-responsible, dynamic matrix of rapid change. The chapters in this book offer thought-provoking examples, theory, and suggestions about the advantages, methods and challenges involved in making STEM to STEAM conversions, at levels ranging from K12 through graduate university programs.   weiterlesen