Integrating Art + STEM: An Exploratory Study of Three Science Centers

Abstract

Recently there has been increased attention from national organizations, policy makers, and educators on arts integration in educational practice. Arts integration appears in science center practice as well to achieve STEM learning. A wide range of efforts of arts integration with STEM subjects exists across science centers, however research in this area is nascent. This qualitative study examined the practices of three science centers integrating the arts in varying capacities to determine trends in the purpose, strategies, assessment, and challenges of arts integration at science centers. Findings suggest that the purpose of arts integration is to benefit science center visitors in multiple ways. These science centers collaborate with artists and external professionals to inform arts integration projects in different ways. The challenges of arts integration at these institutions include working with professionals from different backgrounds and making a case for funding. Finally, there seems to be no assessment strategies specific to measuring the success of arts integration at these sites. This research articulates recommendations to advance arts integration at science centers for both practitioners and researchers.