Hi, friends! Just dropping in because today is an extraordinary day. Did you know that today is National STEM/STEAM Day? This day is important for my friends at IEUA because the agency depends on brilliant staff and their sharp STEAM skills to operate our most precious resource, WATER!
Let’s swim back
to the beginning—do you know what STEM and STEAM stand for? I know what may
first come to mind – hot STEAM, like what happens when you take a 5-minute
shower. While that’s a good guess, the word we are learning today does not only
refer to steaming water. STEAM is an acronym that represents Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. It is important to
remember that the ‘A’ for Arts was later added to the first term, STEM.
Speedy
History Lesson: The STEM term was created in the early 2000s by Dr.
Judith Ramaley during her time at the National Science Foundation (NSF). The term
took an exciting wave to arrive where it is now: STEM was initially referred to
as SMET. According to Britannica, it has been reported that the NSF would use
the term SMET when referring to the cool jobs and learning objectives of what
we now know as Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology. Now, you’ll hear
teachers, parents, and friends use the term STEM and STEAM instead of SMET.
You may be
asking yourself: What type of careers can you obtain in the field of STEAM?
Stay tuned as we explore later real-life experiences and STEAM career examples by
talking one-on-one with our friends at IEUA in another blog post.
Water
Discovery Field Trip: STEAM isn’t just for the staff at a water agency like
IEUA; all ages can explore STEAM, and I encourage you to celebrate STEAM beyond
today. If you’re reading this blog, you’re already ahead of the game. I enjoy
sharing with you new and exciting water-wise tips, but there’s always more to
explore. Don’t know where to start? My friends at IEUA invite you to visit the
neighboring Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park for a Water Discovery
Field Trip. Activities will teach students about many water resources, water use
efficiency methods, the environment, and more. These water-wise activities
align with California State Curriculum Standards; Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM); and Next Generation Science
Standards (NGSS). For more information, visit my c(HOO)ool friend, Owlie, and
learn more about the Chino Creek Wetlands and Education Park at www.ieua.org/chino-creek-wetlands-educational-park/.
As always, I
hope you are doing your part to be water-wise. Remember, by simply picking up
after your pets, not overwatering your plants, or turning off the faucet when
brushing your teeth, you are making a difference. I will see you all soon with
the next drop of water wisdom!
Your friend,
Wally