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SUNY Potsdam receives grant from Lockheed Martin

Posted 6/3/13

POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam recently received a grant from Lockheed Martin to allow the college to explore development of new curricula to enrich “STEM” education with arts components. STEM stands …

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SUNY Potsdam receives grant from Lockheed Martin

Posted

POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam recently received a grant from Lockheed Martin to allow the college to explore development of new curricula to enrich “STEM” education with arts components.

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

As the focus on science, technology, engineering and math education increases, a growing number of educators are looking to integrate arts education into the STEM disciplines.

"The complex problems in the world today demand scientists who can tackle issues creatively to develop the innovations that will lead to solutions," said SUNY Potsdam Provost Margaret Madden, who leads the team working to develop the new curriculum.

"Instruction in the arts has revolved around fostering interdisciplinary critical thinking and creativity," she said.

"We are certain that a program combining arts with sciences can prepare students with both strong technical skills and creative thinking strategies, to be innovation leaders. This collaborative effort of expert faculty scientists and artists is a unique approach to curriculum development, and we are very much looking forward to implementing their curriculum recommendations in the coming year," Madden said.

Haden Land, an alum and Potsdam College Foundation trustee, is vice president of engineering and chief technology officer at Lockheed Martin.

He believes that his alma mater is poised to lead in this area. "SUNY Potsdam is ideally suited for this new 'STEAM' approach, with a long tradition of innovative education in the arts and sciences, natural sciences, computer science and math," Land said.

"This joint project will create a new interdisciplinary degree program to foster creative and analytical thinking by combining studies in the arts and humanities with STEM disciplines," Land said.

The team's preliminary work involves researching the science of creativity and studying similar models in education and industry.

In addition to coursework, the new program will offer hands-on work with longer-term projects relevant to the world beyond the Potsdam campus.

Members of SUNY Potsdam's “STEM Team” include Jill Pearon, assistant provost/music performance; Marsha Baxter, music education; Heather Beauchamp, psychology; Kim Bouchard, theatre and dance; Derek Habermas, mathematics; Mark Huff, art; Brian Ladd, computer science; and Gordon Plague, biology.

Additional team members include Margaret Madden, provost/psychology; Steven Marqusee, dean of arts and sciences/anthropology; Peter Brouwer, dean of education and professional studies/secondary mathematics education; Jenica Rogers, director of libraries; and Nancy Griffin, development officer.