Ed Abeyta on the Importance of STEAM Education

ed abeytaUCTV’s recently launched STEAM Channel is a platform for all things science, technology, engineering, arts and math. We sat down with the channel’s founding partner and director of K-16 Programs at UC San Diego Extension, Ed Abeyta, to learn more about the STEAM movement and how it impacts students, educators and parents.

UCTV: How did you get involved in the world of STEAM?

Ed Abeyta: STEAM became the framework for the creation of our K-16 division in 2010. It was inspired by Harvey White, co-founder of Qualcomm Inc., who believed the Arts (the creative skills) plus STEM are key for industry success. “STEM education is necessary but it is not sufficient – we must have STEAM education – our future is at risk otherwise.”

UCTV: Why STEAM and not STEM?

EA: STEM is based on skills generally using the left half of the brain and thus is logic driven. Much research and data shows that activities like Arts, which uses the right side of the brain supports and fosters creativity, which is essential to innovation. Clearly the combination of superior STEM education combined with Arts education (STEAM) should provide us with the education system that offers us the best chance for regaining the innovation leadership essential to the new economy.

UCTV: Why is STEAM so important for today’s students and teachers?

EA: There seems to be consensus that for the US to replace the lost jobs from the industrial sector we must create the new industries that will drive the future economies of the world – and that requires innovation. So we need to focus on examining some of the difference between what and how we “teach” today and what we need to change to effectively “teach” innovation. The underlying need is to refocus the system to teach innovation – not just facts.

UCTV: How is STEAM changing the way we think about education?

EA: STEAM is not about adding to the acronym, but instead adding to the relevancy of learning. As Vince Bertram, President and CEO, Project Lead The Way, Inc., noted “It’s about showing students how concepts relate to real-world situations and providing them with hands-on projects and problems that help them apply concepts in a new context. It’s about nurturing students’ curiosity and helping them develop creativity, problem solving and critical thinking skills.”

UCTV: Why should universities help lead the charge for STEAM in K-12?

EA: The core disciplines are beginning to merge. Visual Arts, Computer Science, and Engineering are working more closely to utilize expertise in each of their domains to solve problems. This mindset showcases what awaits the next generation at post-secondary institutions like UC San Diego.

UCTV: How can parents involve their children in STEAM education?

EA: At its heart, STEAM is about solving real-world problems. The world is going to need more and more graduates with the skills to identify problems, visualize solutions, design prototypes and implement solutions. Parents should seek every learning opportunity that incorporates practice based learning and challenge their children to continually think out of the box.

UCTV: What can viewers expect from the STEAM Channel in the coming months?

EA: The STEAM Channel will begin showcasing how STEAM is connected to research, policy, education, and industry. We will also seek to provide programming resources to enable parents, mentors and teachers to utilize our programming as a teaching platform.

Visit The STEAM Channel today!

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Alzheimer's Disease – Neuroimaging, Caregiver Concerns, and Residential Care

Continuing our in-depth look at Alzheimer’s disease, On Our Mind examines the patient experience as well as the impact of the disease on families and communities. Learn more with our newest installments:

27760Neuroimaging Advances for Alzheimer’s Disease
What insights can new imaging techniques give us not only to the biology of the disease but the efficacy of new therapies?

27760Caregiver Concerns: Wandering, Home Safety and More
Six in ten people with dementia will wander. Learn how to create a home environment that facilitates safety.

27760Residential Care and Alzheimer’s Disease
Making the residential care decision can feel overwhleming. Learn how residential care has changed and the impact of care with dignity.

The Brain Channel’s flagship series On Our Mind takes a closer look at Alzheimer’s disease. Join Dr. William Mobley as he meets with those on the front lines of this disease to discuss current and potential therapies, testing, clinical trials, neuropathology, public policy and so much more.

Watch all of the Alzheimer’s Disease programs.

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When Drugs Do More Harm Than Good – Three Takeaways

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Recently published research in The American Journal of Psychiatry shows that steroid therapies can cause neuropsychiatric damage.

Commonly prescribed medications such as prednisone can lead to erratic and self-destructive behavior among patients. Dr. Lewis Judd and Dr. Sherwood Brown, two of the paper’s authors, sat down with Nick Binkley of the Diana Foundation to share their findings in-depth. Here are three great takeaways from their discussion:

• Glucocorticoid treatment is associated with a seven-fold increased risk of a suicide or suicide attempt.

• Women appear more likely to develop depression during glucocorticoid treatment while men may be at greater risk for mania, delirium, confusion or disorientation.

• Despite the prevalence and potential seriousness of adverse effects, patients are often not warned about the risks before starting treatment.

To learn more and find out how patients and doctors can work together to reduce risk factors, watch When Drugs Do More Harm Than Good: Adverse Effects of Glucocorticoids on the Brain.

New Techniques in Neurosurgery

27760An MRI in the OR? It just might be the wave of the future.

Imaging technology has made its way into the the operating room – giving neurosurgeons new insights and better options for patients. Brain tumors hiding beneath the opaqueness of the skull can now be seen in real time allowing the surgeon to not only design more direct pathways for treatment but also remove more of the tumor while protecting the delicate anatomy surrounding it.

A pioneer of this revolutionary technique, Dr. Clark Chen, joins our host Dr. David Grant to discuss how these new techniques not only benefit the surgeon but are creating better outcomes for the patient.

Watch Brain Tumors, Tractography, and Surgery in the MRI – Health Matters online now.

Explore more programs in the Health Matters series.

On Our Mind – Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease - On Our Mind An estimated 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and that number will continue to rise. The impact will be felt not just in the homes of the diagnosed but by their caregivers, their loved ones, their communities, and beyond.

The Brain Channel’s flagship series On Our Mind is endeavoring in the next few months to take a closer look at Alzheimer’s disease. Join Dr. William Mobley as he meets with those on the front lines of this disease to discuss current and potential therapies, testing, clinical trials, neuropathology, public policy and so much more.

Online now:

1761Agenda: Alzheimer’s Disease Cure and Care
There are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease. San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob joins William Mobley, MD, PhD to discuss how we can better manage this disease from a public policy standpoint.


1761Stem Cells and Alzheimer’s Disease
Can stem cells be a weapon in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease? Larry Goldstein, PhD director the the UC San Diego Stem Cell Program, joins William Mobley, MD, PhD to discuss how stem cells work and what possibilities they may unlock.


1761The Anatomy of Memory
How do we create and store memories? Larry Squire PhD joins William Mobley MD, PhD to dissect these processes and how we might use this knowledge to aid in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.


1761The Role of Synapses in Memory
Roberto Malinow, MD, PhD joins William Mobley MD, PhD to discuss his recent study where memories were not only erased but restored in rats. Learn how findings of this study could lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.


Stay tuned to the Brain Channel for new installments in this informative series.