In a modern world overwhelmed by media and screens of every kind, students increasingly learn through stories and characters. When students are encouraged to express themselves creatively and learn actively rather than passively, they will become more engaged with the topics being presented, applying them to their own lives and forming an emotional connection.

When STEAM education goes beyond simply conveying the facts to getting kids excited about STEM topics, those initially resistant students might suddenly find themselves eager to learn more. Who knows – they might even pursue a STEM-related career down the road and end up revolutionizing your field. That kind of inspiration, combined with the enhanced brand reputation your company receives when you engage students through STEAM education, can allow your organization to prepare for the fast-paced and unpredictable world of STEM in the 21st century.

In a Georgetown University study on job growth and education through the year 2020, it was discovered that almost 5 million jobs will go unfilled in the United States because of skill gaps – primarily in the fields of STEM and healthcare. Yet, according to the National Science Foundation, “to succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.” It’s clear that we need to inspire young students in the world of STEM, but how can educators and organizations make that happen – especially when some students initially show resistance to learning about STEM subjects?

As a growing number of schools and institutions have learned, the answer might lie in STEAM. The inclusion of the arts makes STEM subjects easier and more accessible for students to learn, approaching the subjects through creativity and hands-on learning, rather than logic and analysis. For young people who have never seen a molecule or computer coding before, a familiar, engaging element – like certain settings, characters or artistic forms – might make the understanding of new concepts less daunting.

Since 1978, NTC has specialized in providing creative K-12 education that excites and inspires. Through live in-school performances, video production, web development, print materials and gamification strategies, we connect organizations like yours to children, families and communities across the country.

Watch our video to see just one example of how we use creativity and storytelling to engage audiences. What happens why you try to teach a 3,000-year-old Mummy about STEM disciplines? Take a minute to find out.