(ThyBlackMan.com) Speaking to youth involved in a summer STEM program at the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) of Florida State College in Jacksonville, Florida; it is very important that the educational initiatives of STEAM, STEM, STREAM CSTEAM and even STEM2 are vital to prepare youth for current and future careers.
The involvement of STEAM Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics can be seen in the development of projects that show the significance of hands-on learning that is interactive and
educationally engaging. Instruction in schools can no longer be teacher centered in its objectives, there needs to be a transition to student centered learning in today’s schools even in higher education.
STEAM/STEM integration allows for students to be the center of attention in learning, the teacher sets the parameters and objectives to accomplish tasks that are fashioned to teach diverse areas of
learning. The students understand that learning is transformative because they learn the connections from Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics. When incorporating the “R” for Reading and the C for computers, the aspects of reading and 
comprehension are incorporated.
The diversity of student learning is made fun, interactive, engaging and applies to real world experiences in careers. In STEM2 this integrates Medical aspects and CTEAM incorporates Computer initiatives.
The promotion of critical and higher order thinking skills are still important during summer months where data shows that students can lose up to 40% of learning during summer break. So STEAM camps are important to keep learning active and challenge conventional teaching and even traditional learning.
Summer STEAM camps as those provided by veteran educator Arlene Cameron-Lloyd, M.Ed., her camp accommodates ages 6 to 12 in Jacksonville, Florida. Her program exposes these youth to new learning opportunities they may not normally receive at their home school or on such an advanced level.
As a higher education instructor at an HBCU – Edward Waters College in the Education and Urban Studies program I incorporate CSTREAM, Educational Technology and Social Media to prepare my students for their educational and business careers. Diversity in learning is important because careers are diverse in skill application and who students will be collaboratively and cooperatively working with.
Parental involvement is critical to motivate students in learning areas that are new and transformative in thinking and learning. Parents must understand the future implications in employment, higher education, access to resources that encourage community engagement and a higher level of interaction and educational attainment for students.
21st century learning has changed the direction of learning and continues to change because of the influences of technology careers and global commerce and scientific discovery. Steam instruction
and other educational initiatives are the foundation that allow this nation to continue to be the foundation of global leadership, research and development.
Programs like the diverse STEAM educational initiatives need to be supported in the community, afterschool programs, workshops, conferences and even in the online environment. Children, youth, teens and young adults should have exposure and understand the importance of keeping up with these areas. HBCU’s can play a vital role in opening their doors and allowing their community to share resources and even materials. Technology should be available for all students no matter their location, social-economic status or educational levels.
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.