The Power of

STEAM Education
a n d Te a c h e r R e s o u rc e
Av a i l a b i l i t y
 TA B L E O F Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
CONTENTS
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

The World Moves Forward and Education

is Tasked with Meeting New Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

The Modern World is Relying on STEM/STEAM Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Getting Government, Educators, Parents, and Students

on The Same Page: STEAM Job Demands Grow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

STEAM Tools and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The Right STEAM Tools and Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Acquiring the Right STEM/STEAM Educational Tools

and Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability 2

 INTRODUCTION T h e Way Fo r wa rd f o r S T E A M Ed u c a t i o n

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and STEAM,

the introduction of ART into STEM learning, are becoming essential
aspects of modern education. As the job market continues to call for
more qualified individuals, capable of working with and developing
cutting edge technology, teachers must have access to the right STEAM
educational tools.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were nearly 8.6 million
STEAM jobs in May 2015, a total of 6.2% of U.S. employment1. The U.S.
Department of Education reports that the number of STEAM jobs in the
United States will continue to grow, expected to increase 14% from 2010
– 2020. This is nearly three times higher than the national average of
5-8% across all other job sectors2.

STEAM education covers a broad range of concepts and skills. From

the most basic, which includes critical thinking and social interaction,
to in-depth hard skills like engineering and coding, STEAM covers it all.
There has been an incredible push over the past few years to get school
districts behind incorporating STEAM education into their classrooms.
It has become apparent that these skills will be critical when students
enter the workforce. Furthermore, careers and openings for positions
specifically in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are
accelerating at an incredible pace. Preparing students for a world in
which STEAM skills are essential, will be absolutely vital.

Educators are the ones responsible for preparing the next generation for
a world dependent on STEAM skills. Teachers thoroughly understand the
core principles and fundamentals of STEAM education. However, it would
be unfair to ask teachers to learn a new coding language or engineering
and mechanics at any stage of their career. STEAM products can require
an incredible amount of time and effort on the teachers’ part in order to
create lesson plans and incorporate them into the curriculum to meet
state-required standards. Without meeting these important standards,
these engaging products and resources are just toys.

The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability 3

 INTRODUCTION Products that help teachers with lesson plans, standards alignment,
worksheets, evaluation rubrics and instructions are invaluable resources.

Government programs, like the Office of STEAM Team at the U.S.

Department of Education, are seeking to create a conversation
surrounding this important subject3. Beyond government support, there
are new organizations offering innovative STEAM educational tools and
lesson plans to assist teachers incorporating educational products into
their curriculum.

This whitepaper will be a valuable guide for educators navigating the

modern world of STEAM educational tools. With all aspects of society
relying more heavily on the core fundamentals of STEAM, educators
understand the importance of the curriculum. Having access to lesson
plans and STEAM tools that meet curriculum standards will be essential.
Use this whitepaper to find what educators will need including the proper
academic resources and STEAM products. Also, discover the critical
information on why STEAM education must be a priority for school
districts and information on the resources available to these educators.

The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability 4

 BACKGROUND
Over the last decade,
STEAM occupations grew at
the incredible pace of 24.4%
The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability
T h e Wo r l d M o v e s Fo r w a r d a n d E d u c a t i o n i s
Ta s k e d w i t h M e e t i n g N e w R e q u i r e m e n t s
Exploring the modern world and its dependence on STEAM skills,
progress will depend on informing decision-makers and ensuring teachers
have the access to the most relevant STEAM tools and resources.
STEAM subjects are not a new concept. The revolutionary step forward is
the approach to how these subjects are being explored in schools.
Project-based, collaborative and hands-on experiential learning are taking
kids out of the textbook and proving to them with tangible experiences
and understanding of how the skills they’re learning will impact the world
around them.
T h e M o d e r n Wo r l d i s R e l y i n g
on STEM/STEAM Skills
Over the last decade, STEAM occupations grew at the incredible pace of
24.4%4, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and
Statistics Administration. When looking at the 4% growth in non-STEM
occupations it becomes clear why STEAM education will only continue
to play a more important role as time goes on. STEAM occupations
are projected to grow by 8.9% from 2014 – 2024 compared to 6.4%
for non-STEM occupations. As the job market demands more STEAM
professionals, the education system nationwide must take note.
Occupations that involve working with computer and software
development, engineers, STEM-related management and sales alone
made up nearly 7,000,000 jobs in May of 20155. This number is projected
to skyrocket in the near future.
5
 BACKGROUND
“With the right resources,
teachers can easily
incorporate relevant and
engaging products into the
curriculum...”
The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability
School districts and local governments are beginning to understand the
importance of providing these skills to students in the classroom. It has
become impossible to ignore this fact: students entering the workforce
are arriving in a job market unprepared to deploy STEAM skills in a
valuable and actionable way.
There is no avoiding a STEAM topic when discussing the needs of the
modern economy and workforce. Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Math skills are becoming a requirement in industries ranging from
manufacturing to finance and the soft skills associated with these
concentrations play a part in nearly every sector out there today.
Technology encompasses nearly every aspect of modern life. Having
students become comfortable with STEAM fundamentals will have a
positive impact on their future no matter which industry they end up
embracing.
The modern world relies on STEAM skills. The United States in particular
is a hotbed for innovation, but falls behind China and India in the amount
of STEM college graduates6. According to the Pew Research Center, 52%
of adults in the USA think that a main reason why more young people
don’t pursue a degree in STEAM is that the subjects are too difficult. 23%
think these subjects are not useful for their careers and 12% think they
are too boring7. With the amount the world depends on STEAM subjects,
this kind of thinking must change in order for innovation and human
advancement to continue forward.
With the right resources, teachers can easily incorporate relevant and
engaging products into the curriculum and address these misconceptions
about STEAM studies. Innovative organizations like HamiltonBuhl® offer
educators product roadmaps which they can follow, customize, or use
as a guide to ensure STEAM products best suit their teaching style and
environment.
6
 BACKGROUND
“Opening up a conversation
and encouraging the sharing
of knowledge will have a
dramatic impact...”
The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability
Getting Government, Educators, Parents,
and Students on The Same Page:
STEAM Job Demands Grow
Anytime the world needs to take a step forward, it requires a combined
effort by the numerous entities involved in the shift. It will be vital for local
and federal governments, educators and parents to all be aware of the
types of changes that need to take place and the reason behind the
transformation.
As the job market and modern industries put a heaver focus on both
the soft and hard skills that come along with STEAM education, every
entity that will be forced to play a role must take action and be aware of
the transformation ahead. The federal government has set up incentive
programs and is offering grants to assist in the development of STEAM
skills. Teachers are well aware of the shift that needs to happen
throughout their curriculum to cater to STEAM. Parents and the
students need to be informed on the path society is taking and how
STEAM education can impact their lives and why this trend must be
taken seriously.
STEM 2026 is just one of the U.S. government’s plans to help accelerate
the advancement of STEAM education throughout the nation8. STEM
2026 doesn’t outline the actions that must be taken to actually educate
preschool through twelfth grade (P-12), rather it is meant to start a
conversation about opportunities for innovation, and through research,
discover if STEAM programs have an impact in various contexts. Opening
up a conversation and encouraging the sharing of knowledge will have a
dramatic impact on school district’s willingness to embrace and support
their own STEAM programs.
Educators are well aware of the benefits STEAM programs, lessons, and
tools have on their classrooms, however it’s absolutely vital they have
access to the resources needed to pass this knowledge down to their
students. Pew’s Research indicates the fear of subjects being too difficult
are fending off potential STEAM professionals from pursuing the field.
7
 BACKGROUND Furthermore, those that may not enter a STEAM field must know they
will still benefit them from these subjects in any career they might find
themselves embracing. Teachers need the right tools to show that
STEAM isn’t boring, instead, it’s exciting, engaging, and absolutely
necessary to keep the world progressing at its current rate.

Parents are some of the largest influencers when it comes to a child’s

career and higher-education decisions. Reaching out to parents to
show them why STEAM education and skills are beneficial will have
a monumental impact on children’s willingness to explore the field.
Research shows, that when a parent is involved in STEAM learning, it
will have a strong influence on subject matter their children consider11.
STEAM education doesn’t begin and end in the classroom.
Encouragement and exploration at home will be a key factor in the
success of STEAM education advancement.

Each piece of the STEAM education puzzle must seamlessly work

together in order to have the greatest impact. If influencers are
disjointed, the entire initiative will not be able to be as successful as
possible. A conversation about the importance of taking students
out of the text books and the benefits of hands on learning won’t be
enough. Teachers have the job of putting these plans into action.
P-12 teachers are tasked with this challenge and without having
the right STEAM products to create an educational and exciting
experience they won’t be able to be as successful as possible.

The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability 8

 STEAM TOOLS
AND RESOURCES
“...Lesson plans, manuals,
videos, tutorials, and
roadmaps...are all available
when teachers know where
to look...”
The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability
T h e R i g h t S T E A M To o l s a n d R e s o u r c e s
A new approach to STEAM education requires the right tools and
resources. Educators have a tremendous challenge ahead of them and
the future depends on the skills and knowledge they’re able to pass on
to their students. Providing lesson plans, manuals, videos, tutorials, and
roadmaps to get students out of the textbook and start putting STEAM
skills into action in the real-world are all available when teachers know
where to look.
Acquiring the Right STEM/STEAM
E d u c a t i o n a l To o l s a n d R e s o u r c e s
Access to the right educational products, tools, and resources will make
or break any STEAM initiative. For students to become comfortable
and proficient with STEAM subjects, districts, technology directors,
and teachers must be able to effortlessly modernize the classroom. A
streamlined and stress-free transition into the 21st Century of STEAM
education requires the ability to obtain the most relevant STEAM
products. Nowadays, with the current technological leaps, teachers will
have an extremely difficult time inspiring the next generation without
working with the latest educational tools.
HamiltonBuhl®, leader in the design and manufacturing of STEAM
products, has a plethora of valuable information, tools, and products
available to teachers. HamiltonBuhl® offers standards aligned STEAM
products that include lesson plans, teacher’s guides, student worksheets,
step-by-step instructions, and even videos to help teachers effectively
incorporate STEAM products and education into the curriculum. For
teachers, such resources reduce on-boarding and prep time, as well as
lesson plan development efforts, making their lives easier.
Keeping teachers in mind, HamiltonBuhl® has developed educational
resources for their extensive STEAM product line.
9
 STEAM TOOLS
AND RESOURCES
Educators even have access
to activity mats, worksheets,
and exercises with answer
keys that gradually increase
in difficulty.
The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability
From robots that help teach kids mechanics, engineering and coding,
to animation studio and green screen production kits that encourage
student self-expression, transforming them from mere consumers to
producers, learning digital literacy and creator’s rights. Take a look at the
entire line for all the STEAM products available.
An example of a STEAM product that could help inspire students, while
also being easily incorporated into the classroom, is the HB Invent! Kit.
There are six free lesson plans available to teachers. Educators even
have access to activity mats, worksheets, and exercises with answer
keys that gradually increase in difficulty. From the second the HB Invent!
Kit is unboxed, teachers are ready to get started with numerous ways
to put their own spin on the lesson or they can incorporate the Teacher
Resources verbatim.
STEAM products do not just need to revolve around engineering and
robotics. Augmented Reality is a great tool to engage today’s screen
loving kids. ChronoQuest™ from HamiltonBuhl® is the highly imaginative,
knowledge-based learning experience that cuts across grade levels and
subjects. With ChronoQuest™, students quest through time, learning
about and even adding to history’s past! Along the pre-programmed
content, ChronoQuest™ is specially-developed so teachers and
students can customize and add Augmented Reality Chronos content to
the timeline!
With step-by-step instructions, students and teachers are shown how
they can code new content and make history! It’s the ideal tool for
collaborative, project-based learning.
To help teachers hit the ground running, ChronoQuest™ comes with
Teacher Guides and Lesson Plans. Video instruction and manuals are
available to make adding ChronoQuest™ into class curriculum simple,
while creating an exciting and engaging experience for students.
10
 STEAM TOOLS Creating a collaborative learning environment, including project-based
AND RESOURCES STEAM activities, is exciting with the right products. HB LED GrowLight™
is just such a STEAM product, designed specifically for school use. It
utilizes the very latest LED light with wavelength tuner and hydroponic
technology to teach students about all the variables that control growth
of plants, including soil types, watering nutrients, CO2 levels, function of
roots, as well as how different light wavelengths impact plant growth.

Students will be able to gain a deeper understanding of photosynthesis

“Students will be
able to gain a deeper
understanding of
photosynthesis . . .”
by experimenting with the three different light spectrums. Each of the
blue, red, and white LED lights can be dialed up or down, letting students
test and learn.
STEAM topics including environmental science, plant biology, physics,
carbon emissions and its impact, trial and error, problem solving, critical
thinking and comparison analysis are at the ready with the LED GrowLight
Kit from HamiltonBuhl®, not to mention the opportunity to sample herbs,
fruits and vegetables organically grown by the students themselves!

In addition to the state-aligned lesson plans, HB LED GrowLight also

comes with “Rock and Wrap It Up” resources, a global mission against
poverty, world hunger, and a growing carbon footprint. With limitless
potential and the Teacher Guide to make incorporating this product
into the classroom and curriculum easy, it is a valuable addition to any
learning environment.

Districts, technology directors, and teachers are seeking products that

come with the right resources to make incorporating these tools into
the curriculum simple and stress-free. Teachers are not going to spend
time on any product, unless they can be aligned to the state standards.
HamiltonBuhl® doesn’t just sell products to schools, they are a part of the
STEAM education movement, dedicated to make integration of STEAM
tools into the school curriculum effortless and effective.

The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability 11

 STEAM TOOLS A new national network has been developed for teachers by Battelle with
AND RESOURCES support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation called STEMx™. This
multi-state STEM network is a movement to help provide an accessible
platform to share, analyze and disseminate quality STEM education
tools to assist in the progression of education and increase student
engagement9. To learn how to get involved or find out more, their website
has the latest information.

The federal government has also taken a strong stance on STEAM

education. One of the programs that is making waves throughout the
country is The STEM Education Partnership Program is a National
Security Agency outreach program promoting STEM education at the
early stages of student’s lives, all the way through twelfth grade. This
program works with non-profit institutions helping to inspire students and
advance studies of STEM subjects while also promoting awareness of the
career opportunities found within STEM fields10.

For more information on the program above, click here. Each day, more
resources, support, and products make their way into the world of
modern education. Even though these initiatives are progressing as fast
as technology is advancing, using the right resources can help educators
stay up to date with the latest developments, resources, and support
available to them.

The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability 12

 CONCLUSION Preparing for The STEAM Education
Revolution
As the world continues to rely more heavily on STEAM
disciplines, all of those involved, from students to the federal
government must take steps to encourage this movement. The
STEAM job market is expanding at a rapid rate and employers
need individuals with the right skills.

Educators have a monumental task ahead of them but with

the right resources, tools, and support, the process of inspiring
students to explore the world of STEAM will be effortless and
stress free. Take full advantage of the resources available in
Section 3 and the Additional Resources page to help keep the
world moving forward.

The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability 13

 REFERENCES 1 Vidpost. The Importance of STEAM Learning, Huffington Post. December
6, 2017. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/vidcode/the-importance-of-
steam-l_b_9488898.html (Accessed April 6, 2018).

2 Fayer, S, Lacey, A & Watson, A, STEM Occupations: Past, Present, and

Future, Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/
spotlight/2017/science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem-
occupations-past-present-and-future/home.htm (Accessed April 9, 2018).

3 Office of Innovation & Improvement. Science, Technology, Engineering

and Math (STEM). January 18, 2018. https://innovation.ed.gov/what-we-
do/stem/ (Accessed April 12, 2018).

4 Noonan, R, STEM Jobs: 2017 Update. Office of the Chief Economist, U.S.
Department of Commerce. March 30, 2017. http://www.esa.doc.gov/
sites/default/files/stem-jobs-2017-update.pdf (Accessed April 09, 2018).

5 Fayer, S, Lacey, A & Watson, A, STEM Occupations: Past, Present, and

Future, Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/
spotlight/2017/science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem-
occupations-past-present-and-future/home.htm (Accessed April 9, 2018).

6 McCarthy, N, The Countries With The Most STEM Graduates, Forbes,

February 2017. https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2017/02/02/
the-countries-with-the-most-stem-graduates-infographic/#242139d2268a
(Accessed April 10, 2018)

7 Kennedy, Brian, Hefferon, Meg & Cary Funk, Half of Americans Think
Young People Don’t Pursue STEM Because it is Too Hard. Pew Research
Center FactTank. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/01/17/half-
of-americans-think-young-people-dont-pursue-stem-because-it-is-too-
hard/ (Accessed January 17, 2018)

8 Report: STEM 2026 – A Vision for Innovation in STEM Education

U.S. Department of Education & American Institutes for Research (AIR).
https://innovation.ed.gov/files/2016/09/AIR-STEM2026_Report_2016.pdf
(Accessed April 11, 2018).

The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability 14

 REFERENCES 9 STEMx. Educate. Engage. Exchange. September 08, 2015. http://www.
stemx.us/ (Accessed April 9, 2018).

10 STEM Education Partnership Program. National Security Agency,

Central Security Service. May 24, 2017. https://www.nsa.gov/resources/
educators/stem-education-partnership/ (Accessed April 11, 2018).

11 Byrd, Christine, Getting Parents Involved in STEM and STEAM

Education. MIND Research Institute Blog. April 7, 2016. https://blog.
mindresearch.org/blog/parents-in-stem-and-steam-education
(Accessed April 12, 2018).

The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability 15

 ADDITIONAL Having the right resources on-hand is vital when expanding the world of
RESOURCES STEAM education. Below are links to free catalogs, manuals, and teacher
resources to help teachers make these important subjects more exciting
and engaging.

HamiltonBuhl® Catalog includes listing of the latest and most relevant

STEAM products available to dealers and educators. Find products that
include lesson plans, manuals, and guides inside.

HamiltonBuhl® Product Manuals has information on STEAM products.

Teachers can find all the details they’ll need to start implementing any
STEAM product into their lessons.

STEAM Education Resources is the place to find multiple STEAM

products that include lesson plans, tutorials, manuals, and curriculum
guides.

HamiltonBuhl® Hardware and Drivers Resource is a quick and easy

way to find the right software teachers will need to incorporate new
technology into their classrooms.

HamiltonBuhl® Product Manuals and Guides include PDFs that are always
available online.

STEAM Video Tutorials show products in action and advice on how to

best incorporate these innovative technologies into the classroom.

STEAM Learning and Education from HamiltonBuhl® is an easy and to

search for the most popular and valuable STEAM products available to
educators today. From STEAM packs to accessories, find them all on the
STEAM Learning and Education page.

ASCD is a network of educators from around the world that helps define,
support, and engage the development of highly effective
learning systems.

The Power of STEAM Education and Teacher Resource Availability 16