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!

826

"60 Seconds and You’re Hired!" with Robin Ryan

If you enjoy what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.

But how do you land your dream job?

Top career coach and author Robin Ryan visited UC San Diego for 2013 Career Boost Camp and UCSD-TV has captured some of her tips for taking your career to the next level.

Hear her strategies for promoting your own personal brand that will allow you to pursue more fulfilling work, while representing yourself as best you can to potential employers.

Watch “60 Seconds and You’re Hired!” with Robin Ryan as she discusses how to improve your career with Reo Carr, executive editor of San Diego Business Journal.

For more career tips check out Robin Ryan’s book, “60 Seconds and You’re Hired!” or check out the articles, videos and podcasts available at The Career Channel.

The Resurgence of Manufacturing

The most recent presidential election brought the issue of outsourcing to the forefront of Americans’ minds as citizens became concerned that they were losing their jobs to factories in China or Bangladesh.

However, Peter Cowhey, Dean of the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies at UC San Diego, tells us that the U.S. remains the largest manufacturer based on total output.

As rumors stir about the de-industrialization of America, Cowhey explains that the rate of manufacturing only seems to be drastically declining, because it is not growing as fast as the rest of our economy.

In “The Resurgence of Manufacturing in the United States,” Cowhey is joined by Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs, Vizio CEO Willliam Wang, former Gateway CEO Ted Waitt and journalist James Fallows to discuss the trends of manufacturing as well as strategies for keeping and creating jobs in the United States.

For more videos with Peter Cowhey, click here or see what other programs on globalization are available.

A Career in Beer is Near

San Diego’s beer business is booming as the city is becoming known as the craft brew capital of the nation.

The beer industry brought San Diego $680.8 million in sales in 2011 and totaled $299.5 million in wages, contracts, and capital expenses. In 2011, there were 52 licensed breweries in San Diego county and since then 33 more licenses have been issued. As the industry grows, many new jobs are created and UC San Diego Extension is offering a way for you to get your foot in the door.

Watch this discussion, titled “Is Beer in your Career?” as some of the leading regional brewers, including Stone Brewing Company CEO and co-founder Greg Koch, Lost Abbey brewer Tomme Arthur, Ballast Point brewer and co-founder Yuseff Cherney, and the founder of White Labs Inc. Pure Yeast and Fermentation, Chris White, discuss the opportunities for those who wish to have a future in the craft brewing scene and the future of the industry itself.

Want more from inside the beer industry? UC San Diego Extension is offering a Brewing Certificate that will teach you everything you need to know to be a professional brewer. Also, catch some candid moments with Greg Koch.

February 2013 News & Highlights

Sign up to receive UCSD-TV News and Highlights by e-mail:

Featured This Month
Program Highlights
New to Video On-Demand


FEATURED THIS MONTH

The Career Channel: Bridge to Better Employment

If you or someone you know is a recent college graduate or a graduate in career transition, then stop by UCTV’s newly launched CareerChannel, powered by the employment experts at UC San Diego Extension. As an unbiased provider of information, tools and experts, the channel aims to help job-seekers identify newly emerging areas of career opportunity and to develop paths and plans for necessary reskilling through research, reporting and public dialogue presented through video, radio and print. Check it out today and stay tuned for new programs about the ever-evolving career marketplace!

The Career Channel


To Be Musical

Don’t miss this fascinating series from UC San Diego’s Eleanor Roosevelt College examining exactly what it is that makes music,musical. Professors of music, literature and psychology decode the mysteries of music and its effect on our brains, our emotions and our lives. The series kicks off this month with renowned percussionist Steven Schick and saxophonist and educator David Borgo.

To Be Musical

Lifting the Blanket: Pursuit of a Climate Change Solution

Beginning his career as an engineer at a refrigeration plant in India, Veerabhadran Ramanathan went on to make one of the most important climate change discoveries when he identified chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as even larger contributors to global warming than the previously identified culprit, carbon dioxide. This four-part series from UCTV’s YouTube original channel, UCTV Prime, follows the Scripps Institution of Oceanography scientist’s remarkable path that changed the face of climate change research and has introduced possibilities for human-scale solutions.

Lifting the Blanket: Pursuit of a Climate Change Solution


PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

All programs repeat throughout the month. Visit the Program Schedule on our web site for additional air dates and times.

Health & Medicine

The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program: Keep Your Brain Healthy for the Rest of Your Life

Shoulder Injury – Health Matters

More >>

Science

CARTA: The Evolution of Human Nutrition

Exploring the Abyss: The Deep Sea Challenge Expedition

More >>

Public Affairs

Founders’ Symposium 2012

More >>

Humanities Humanities

Black History Month on UCTV

More >>

Arts & Music Arts & Music

San Diego Opera Stars in the Salon: Samson & Delilah

Opera Spotlight: Samson & Delilah

More >>

Check out the latest additions to our online video archive

Rachel Carson’s Legacy: Finding the Wisdom and Insight for Global Environmental Citizenship

Rossini: Overture to “The Barber of Seville” – La Jolla Music Society SummerFest

More videos and podcasts>>