Senior Research Project
For my Senior Project, I wrote an Argumentative Research Paper about the fine arts in education. While STEM subjects are great, balancing the emphasis between them and the fine arts would be very beneficial to students.
Of course my school, the Academy of Math, Engineering and Science, focuses on STEM, because it's a part of the name, so it's reasonable to expect that. However, the typical Utah high school isn't any less biased. While they don't require as many credits for STEM subjects, it's not because they're more balanced, but rather, they just offer more elective credits.
Many studies have proven the value of combining arts and academics. While some art credits are required, increasing the number and/or variety, and better integrating subjects, will greatly increase both the effectiveness of schools, and the fun of learning.
Students are increasingly encouraged to be well-rounded, but if educators really think it's an important thing to be, they need to back that claim up by officially recognizing the importance of the fine arts as well as STEM, rather than treat the fine arts as less important, more like leisure activities. They are called "fine" arts for a reason.
Of course my school, the Academy of Math, Engineering and Science, focuses on STEM, because it's a part of the name, so it's reasonable to expect that. However, the typical Utah high school isn't any less biased. While they don't require as many credits for STEM subjects, it's not because they're more balanced, but rather, they just offer more elective credits.
Many studies have proven the value of combining arts and academics. While some art credits are required, increasing the number and/or variety, and better integrating subjects, will greatly increase both the effectiveness of schools, and the fun of learning.
Students are increasingly encouraged to be well-rounded, but if educators really think it's an important thing to be, they need to back that claim up by officially recognizing the importance of the fine arts as well as STEM, rather than treat the fine arts as less important, more like leisure activities. They are called "fine" arts for a reason.