4 Reasons Why STEAM is Essential for Development – Reason #1: Critical Thinking

Over the next few posts, we’re going to focus on some of our top reasons why STEAM is essential for a child’s development. This time, we’re exploring how STEAM fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Critical thinking helps us analyse information and evaluate different options, whilst problem-solving helps to apply these skills to find solutions. STEAM activities often involve complex problems that require innovative solutions, offering students opportunities to be bold, think unconventionally, explore different possibilities and develop original ideas.

Critical thinking and problem-solving are closely linked and can be described as an iterative process. Steps can be repeated any number of times, making slight modifications to explore how changing conditions impacts results. What does this look like in practice?

Imagine a teenage student who’s trying to decide what to do following their exams. Critical thinking could be used to identify the problem and explore options, while problem-solving skills enable them to make decisions and take action. This cycle can repeat as often as necessary as choices are refined and they can set their mind on a well considered plan.

Here’s how the process might look:

By engaging in STEAM activities, students can practice and develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a fun, safe and engaging way. Skills such as questioning assumptions, considering different perspectives and making logical decisions are also areas that are built confidently as a result of STEAM.

In our next post, we’re delving into our second reason why STEAM is essential: Creativity and innovation.