2017 STEAM Act Requires Art and Design Education in STEM Subjects

On July 20, 2017 the newest addition to the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art/design, math) legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Congressman James R. Langevin (D-RI) authored the legislation
(H.R. 3344) to require the National Science Foundation to promote the
integration of art and design in STEM Education. The original
STEM Education Act was passed in 2015. The 2017 legislation is for the purpose of integrating art and design in STEM education to promote creativity and innovation. This new language of the STEM to STEAM Act of 2017 emphasizes the central importance of art and
design education together with science, technology, engineering and math rather than having these disciplines taught strictly in separate
enrichment and after school programs as has historically been done in most public education school systems. The legislation is important for expansion of STEAM Education throughout the United States.

Check back to this posting for further developments as this legislation makes its way through the legislative process. Contact your U.S. Congressperson to ask them to join the Congressional STEAM Caucus and support this historic and important legislation.