Written by Amy DeCaussin – Director of Projects & Social Media

At Laboratory5 we are focused on using art and creativity to enhance businesses and organizations in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics industries.  We believe that in doing so, we are enhancing experiences and pushing innovation.  This is a “STEM to STEAM” concept.  STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics while STEAM combines those components with Art.  The founder of the STEM initiative is Georgette Yakman. The idea of adding the arts to the STEM acronym, allows for a formal way to link the subjects together and correspond them to the global socioeconomic world. Yakman’s defining sentence is: “Science and Technology, interpreted through Engineering and the Arts, all based in elements of Mathematics”   Today Many businesses, organizations and institutions throughout the United States base innovation on this concept.

Illustration by Cyndi Coon – President of Laboratory5

According to StemtoSteam.org, of RISD, “In this climate of economic uncertainty, America is once again turning to innovation as the way to ensure a prosperous future.  Yet innovation remains tightly coupled with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – the STEM subjects.  Art + Design are poised to transform our economy in the 21st century.  We need to add Art + Design to the equation – to transform STEM into STEAM.”

The site goes on to say, “The objectives of the STEAM movement are to:

-transform research policy to place Art + Design at the center of STEM

-encourage integration of Art + Design in K-20 education

-influence employers to hire artists and designers to drive innovation”

You can take action!  Click Here to see how you can get your business or organization involved.

STEM to STEAM – that’s what we do!

Laboratory5 Inc. is a small business based in Tempe, Arizona

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