On the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of March, FSAPS middle school students had the opportunity to attend a special STEAM program at Atlanta’s High Museum of Art. Each grade travelled to the museum separately to take part in the program, in which they learned how the “A”, or “Art” in STEAM was an integral part of their curriculum and how other academic disciplines are used in the creation of art.

During the program, students were led on a tour of several exhibits from African art to contemporary art and all things in between. In doing so, they were given hands-on experience with the materials used to create artworks throughout history, from the dark and vivid hues of early Italian artists that used egg tempura paint through the modern oils and acrylics of today.

There were several special exhibitions on display during the visit. These included works by Vik Muniz, widely thought of as one of the most innovative artists of the 21st century, as well as the impossible-looking dresses of Iris van Herpen which take their inspiration from nature, technology, and even philosophy to create unique costumes.

Students also participated in a workshop where they were tasked with using all of their STEAM skills to design objects which are both practical and aesthetically pleasing in order to solve real issues facing the world. Examples of issues to look at included water filtration, traffic control, animal shelters, and keeping birds from office windows.

Following the exhibits and workshop, students enjoyed lunch on the lawn outside the museum before returning to school with a new appreciation for the role science, technology, engineering, and math play in the creation of art of all kinds and how art can influence those disciplines as well.