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September 26, 2016. https://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/2016/09/26/stem-for-in-all -areas-ten-ideas-to-transform-stem-from-nouns-to-verbs-and-facts-to-thinking/ The author shares some important ideas in this article. Highlights include the focus on skills needed for careers of the future—regardless of what that future holds—the basic skills of critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration will prevail. It is important for students to see the real-world connection to what they are doing and learning. Rubrics need to focus on the process, not the product. It is important that students are “doing” and that they are also thinking about what is happening and applying necessary skills. Stager, Gary S. “What’s the Maker Movement and Why Should I Care?” Scholastic Administrator. Winter 2014. http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3758336 The author states that students can be amazing thinkers, designers, and problem-solvers. Within a makerspace, they can utilize new technologies to create in surroundings where they can try and try until they are satisfied with the results. Teaching and learning are not synonymous—we should never expect that because we teach, they learn! Understanding core scientific ideas is best represented by the application of those ideas to solve problems. Once using the makerspace to create and problem-solve, they will be able to transfer that to their surroundings and the real world and hopefully make a difference. Soule, Helen. “Why STEAM Is Great Policy for the Future of Education.” P21.org. March 31, 2016. http://www.p21.org/news-events/p21blog/1900-why-steam-is-great -policy-for-the-future-of-education A similar thought is shared by Soule who states that once students have been able to cre- ate and problem-solve in a makerspace, they develop their creativity and critical thinking skills so that they can apply concepts already learned in content classes in useful and pro- ductive ways (Soule 2016). Being able to think like a scientist or an engineer can have powerful results in any career. Berg, Brenda. “The Critical Importance of STEAM Education.” PC World. June 27, 2017. https://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/621170/critical-importance-steam-education/ One of the main goals of education should be to make sure that students are prepared for careers that they will be going into upon graduation. With advances in technology, engineering, and design, we know that a STEAM education helps students to think critically and creatively and become independent thinkers and apply those skills to problem-solving. Newell, Jennifer. “Girls, Computers, and STEAM.” BEANZ. July 31, 2017. https:// www.kidscodecs.com/girls-computers-steam/ There needs to be continued focus on presenting the field of computer science to young girls so they can see the importance of technological skills in creativity and problem- solving for the future. Stewart, Louise. “Maker Movement Reinvents Education.” Newsweek. September 8, 2014. http://www.newsweek.com/2014/09/19/maker-movement-reinvents-education -268739.html This article features the ideas of Tony Wagner, current expert-in-residence at Harvard University’s new innovation lab. He says that school should no longer be a place where knowledge is transferred from teacher to student and that is the end of it. Being able to remember and repeat things learned for success on a test is not the appropriate Why STEAM? 3