The STEM acronym, coined by Dr. Judith
Ramaley, was introduced in 2001 by scientific administrators at the
U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).
STEM introduces students to the four areas of
Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics through an interdisciplinary
approach that will increase awareness, build
knowledge, develop problem solving skills,
and potentially awaken an interest in
​pursuing a career in STEM.

​* STEM explicitly focuses on scientific concepts.                               "There are four major concepts in science:                                                                    Facts, Hypotheses, Laws, and Theories"
​                                                               (Coppinger Live Science, 2017 ).

​* STEM develops a set of thinking, reasoning, teamwork,       investigative and creative skills that students can use in all   areas of their lives.
​
*STEM isn't a standalone class-it's a way to intentionally   incorporate different subjects across an existing curriculum.

"STEAM" represents STEM plus The Arts-humanities, language arts, dance, drama, music, visual arts, design and new media. Indeed, it adds an extra "creative" dimension to the scientific focus of STEM, but again, we suggest, falls short of  holistically enabling students to embrace the ever evolving "worlds" and 21 Century skills associated with Mindfulness, Empathy, Sustainability, Literacy, Kindfulness and iTechnologies.
​We will refer to this next level of empowerment, beyond STEM and STEAM as S.T.R.E.A.M.S...

Not everyone agrees that STEM is the "silver bullet" and some regard it in its present, explicit form as a one-dimensional "fix", which fails to consider the many other "holistic", creative, coNstructionist and transformative factors that influence economic and personal, inner growth and sustainable development from context to context.

Acknowledging that STEM, as STEM education alone, may well not be the holistic 'Silver Bullet'' that modern society is seeking, we must also concede that STEM is central to ;
                                                    Creating critical thinkers,
                                                    Increasing science literacy, and
                                                    Enabling the next generation of innovators.
​
   Moreover, Innovation leads to new products and processes that sustain our global economies. This innovation and science literacy depends on a solid knowledge base in the STEM areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

​In Ireland, The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST ), did wonderful and exciting work with STEM and especially with STEM Webinars and Resources during Covid-19. 
Click the link to discover STEM in the Garden, Kitchen, Play and Sport.

Here also are some interesting articles on STEM...STEAM and Beyond.

STEM, STEAM...how about pushing out the boundaries even further now with
​STREAMS education?