Critical Connections: Art and Design in STEM Education

What is the value of art and design in STEM Education? How do you effectively implement art and design practices and strategies within STEM subjects? This seminar addresses these key questions with a focus on the value of interdisciplinary engagements across art, design and science in creative innovation and critical future thinking. The presentation will provide a brief outline of some of the leading art-science research and STEM education projects occurring at Universities across Australia with a summary of key contributions of art and design to STEM fields. Drawing on the impacts of research projects and insights from recent STEAM discussions and workshops across UTAS and QUT in 2016 and 2017, the presentation will also outline the challenges and opportunities for integrating art-science practices within primary and tertiary education sectors. The importance of impact evaluation will also be addressed. The presentation will conclude with an invitation to contribute to the discussion and consider effective strategies for a deeper engagement and communication across art, design, science and technology.