Using Data to Understand the STEAM Curriculum Priorities of K-12 Schools

In recent years, interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) Education has increased as an approach to teaching and learning that guides student inquiry, collaboration, and problem-solving. However, there is limited understanding of which benefits of STEAM education schools prioritize when adopting a curriculum. This study takes an empirical approach towards understanding the priorities of K-12 schools, by employing a mixed-methods design. First, quantitative data is collected from the email marketing campaigns from a leading STEAM curriculum provider, to evaluate how emphasizing different proposed benefits of STEAM education influences the behavioral responses of 21,079 international school contacts. Additionally, qualitative survey response data is gathered from 709 of these contacts who ranked their priorities for implementing a STEAM curriculum. The results reveal that "Building 21st-Century Skills" is reported as the most highly prioritized aspect of a STEAM curriculum, reflecting educators' recognition of the increasing importance of these skills in today's technologically advanced and globalized society. This was followed by "Interdisciplinary Learning" and "Project-based Learning", pointing towards a shift in educational focus towards a more holistic and hands-on approach. School contacts also place a high priority on “Alignment with Standards”, although this was more clearly evidenced in behavioral data from email campaigns than in survey responses. Meanwhile, traditional markers of educational success, such as “Career Preparation” and “College Readiness”, are less likely to be prioritized.