[Ginger Power]

Does adding Art to STEM blur the focus of the acronym? To me, the purpose of STEM is to highlight a need in our society for more people in STEM related fields.

An example that shapes my opinion on this subject: My team is working to build a STEM Center at our high school. The purpose of this STEM Center would be to house technical education classes like: Mechanical Drafting (CAD), Architectural Design, General Tech, etc. Our robotics team would also have a permanent facility in the building, and we are also pushing for more robotics based curriculum.

Now if my robotics team were pushing for a STEAM center we would presumably need to share the space with the art classes. We would also need to share funding with the art classes. People/Businesses in the community who are donating to build the STEAM Center wouldn't know if their money is going to Robotics or Art. In my mind the A in the acronym blurs the focus.