STEM vs. STEAM Education: What’s the Difference?

November 8, 2022

For STEM Day 2022, we’re revisiting the question of STEM vs. STEAM education. What’s the difference between these two academic categories, and which is better for international students to pursue? (Spoiler: They’re both great.)

When we talk about “steam”, we aren’t referring to Valve’s popular digital video game storefront. In the world of education, STEAM stands for something very different.

You may already be familiar with STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. A STEM education helps prepare students for the knowledge economy, where many current and future jobs require a foundation in science and math. So what is STEM vs. STEAM, and why is that “A” so important? In this article, we’ll cover what STEAM education is, how it differs from STEM, and why both are great directions to choose for your study abroad journey.

Ready to be inspired? Check out our conversation with international student and ApplyBoard STEM for Change Scholarship winner Amandeep!

Okay, so What Is STEAM?

STEAM is an approach to education that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. In other words, it’s STEM but with arts programs added in!

While it’s true that the main difference between STEM vs. STEAM is the arts, the benefit of adding that letter “A” isn’t immediately clear. After all, if you’re looking to study computer engineering or robotics, why should you need to learn history or philosophy? It’s a fair question, but the answer may surprise you!

A photo of a woman reading in a library.

STEM vs. STEAM

A STEM education is incredibly valuable. Science is all around us. Technology is always evolving and plays a key role in our everyday lives. Engineering provides the guiding principles of our structures, machines, and other inventions. Mathematics helps us think analytically about the world and solve complex problems.

Together, these fields form so much of our understanding of the world and how it works. Plus, with the rise of job opportunities in STEM fields, students graduate prepared to enter the workforce. However, STEM education can sometimes put less focus on valuable traits like creativity and critical thinking.

Many employers are looking for graduates who can think critically and drive innovation in their respective field. Critics of the STEM model point out that much of it is designed to get students “good jobs” without preparing them for jobs that don’t exist yet.

By combining elements of the arts and humanities with STEM courses, students are better equipped to come up with and share ideas, no matter which career they end up pursuing.

Want to study STEM and improve your English at the same time? Learn about the e-STEM program at Renison University College, University of Waterloo.

That “A” Is Key

There’s an ongoing discussion in academic circles about the value of a liberal arts education. With so much focus put on getting students into STEM fields, many wonder what the worth of a degree in English literature or history is. While enrollment in the liberal arts has declined over the last few decades, the truth is many employers still value the humanities. Specifically, employers are looking for graduates who can think critically and who are curious about the world around them.

By integrating the arts with STEM programs, educators are helping mold tomorrow’s great innovators and creative thinkers. “We talk about moving from STEM to STEAM, to include the arts and humanities and social sciences in a program of preparation for young people,” said Universities Canada president and CEO Paul Davidson in 2016. “The liberal arts element and the humanities element can add real value to the curriculum of a student pursuing an education program.”

STEM is already an interdisciplinary approach to education, combining multiple fields of study. Adding in arts courses as electives makes this approach even more well-rounded, and can help students build important soft skills while drawing important connections and inspiration between STEM and the arts.

Did you know? The student demand for science courses, plus health and medical studies programs, is on the rise.

So, STEM vs. STEAM? Which Should I Study?

Ultimately, when it comes to STEM vs. STEAM, either is good!

Many schools now offer STEAM programs at the K-12 levels. However, very few universities or colleges offer specific degree or diploma programs built around STEAM. Here’s the good news: most undergraduate programs in math and science are built with STEM in mind. If you have electives, you can (and should) take some courses in arts and humanities subjects to broaden your skill set.

If you’re looking for a more focused STEAM education at the university or college level, speak with an undergrad advisor. Your education is one of the most important investments you’ll ever make, so you might as well use the free resources available to you on campus! Advisors can help build a class schedule that works for you and your interests.