Abstract:

In this session we present the results of a research project to investigate materials, and design instruction for a music curriculum that aligns to the goals and objectives of STEM – a national initiative to improve the quality of public school education by focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in elementary and secondary pre-college education. Some arts educators believe that adding the arts to STEM creating STEAM, provides a more relevant and comprehensive approach to educating the complete child, and provides opportunities for children to express themselves through the arts in ways that enhance engagements with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The scope of the project was to identify a theoretical framework, develop a template for instruction, and generate sample plans for music experiences to connect and integrate into the goals and content of STEM subjects, always maintaining the integrity of music as a subject worthy of study on its own. While it is important to consider dance, drama, and visual arts, those considerations were beyond the scope of this study.

Three goals delimited this project. They were:
1. To investigate the efficacy of Critical Pedagogy and Critical Pedagogy for Music Education as an appropriate lens to view the alignment of music education to science, technology, engineering and mathematics such that it enhances and supports STEM goals.
2. To identify, review and complete a review of the literature that concerns national standards for STEM subjects, and for music education, and to identify common themes among and between the subjects.
3. To develop a template that music teachers might use to design instruction for their music classes and ensembles that integrates music into the goals and objectives of STEM education.

During the spring semester, eight sophomore music education majors at Westminster Choir College worked independently on various aspects of the research, and met monthly to share ideas and obtain critique and feedback. Two faculty members in music education coordinated the research, and served as resources and sounding boards to guide the students as they completed their portions of the study. Running concurrently was an undergraduate course in Creativity and Technology, taught by one of the project supervisors where students could experiment and field test some of their materials. At the end of the semester, the students identified a theoretical framework, prepared a content analysis of the various national standards in the STEM subjects and in Music, developed lesson plan and ensemble rehearsal templates, and wrote several sample classroom music lessons and ensemble rehearsal plans.

This session is in two parts. First, we present the theoretical framework, literature review, lesson plan and ensemble plan templates and describe some sample lessons. After, participants will have the opportunity to try some of the materials to explore options for creative expression integrating music into STEM.

Keywords:

Music Integration, STEM, STEAM, Music Education.