PRINTER'S NO. 2990
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
750
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY NEUMAN, READSHAW, SNYDER, BIZZARRO, MATZIE,
THOMAS, ROZZI, PASHINSKI, LONGIETTI, O'BRIEN, KOTIK,
SCHLOSSBERG, KIRKLAND, V. BROWN, STURLA, TOOHIL, VEREB,
MARSHALL, W. KELLER, MILLARD, NEILSON, WHEELAND, SANTARSIERO,
COHEN, DiGIROLAMO, CALTAGIRONE, BOBACK, YOUNGBLOOD, WATSON,
KINSEY, D. COSTA, MAJOR, McNEILL, PHILLIPS-HILL, ROSS,
MARSICO, HEFFLEY, BRADFORD, BULLOCK, FARINA AND DeLUCA,
MARCH 18, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 18, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of April 3 through 9, 2016, as "STEAM
Initiative Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes the
importance of the STEM Education Coalition in promoting
initiatives for effective education in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM); and
WHEREAS, The STEM Education Coalition's mission is to inform
Federal and State policymakers on the importance of the role
that STEM education plays in the innovative competitiveness and
future economy of the United States; and
WHEREAS, STEM subjects encompass the foundational skills
necessary for securing well-paying jobs in today's fastest-
growing science and technological industries and it is the goal
of the STEM Education Coalition to foster and support students
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and educators committed to this area of study; and
WHEREAS, The STEM Education Coalition works to inspire
students, especially those of disadvantaged groups, women and
veterans, and urges a broad platform of students to obtain the
knowledge and professional skills necessary to obtain STEM-based
careers; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the STEM Education Coalition's
outstanding record of achievement in promoting STEM education in
this Commonwealth and across the nation, there is an emerging
"STEM to STEAM" movement that involves the promotion of an
educational philosophy that seeks to add "A" for "Art" to STEM,
thereby creating the acronym STEAM; and
WHEREAS, The STEM to STEAM movement recognizes the essential
role that art and design play in enhancing STEM education and
research and emphasizes how all topics in these subject areas
relate to each other and to the real world; and
WHEREAS, STEAM education promotes the idea that creative and
critical thinking skills are greatly enhanced and further
developed through exposure to the arts, which has high value in
contributing to success in technical fields; and
WHEREAS, Arts education has undeniable benefits, as it
stimulates the imagination and strengthens problem-solving
skills and other cognitive abilities, which adds to overall
academic achievement, success in school and greater
effectiveness in the workplace; and
WHEREAS, The objectives of the STEM to STEAM movement are to
encourage integration of art and design in education for
students in kindergarten through higher education, to transform
research policy to place art and design at the center of STEM
and to influence employers to hire artists and designers to
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drive innovation; and
WHEREAS, Including art and design in the making of a STEM
product addresses the aesthetics of such a product, making it
much more visually appealing and creatively developed; and
WHEREAS, Artists and designers have the ability to take
complex scientific concepts and information and communicate them
effectively to a broad range of audiences, making technology
more accessible and improving the overall products; and
WHEREAS, Artists and designers are playing an integral role
in the development of modern technology and in manufacturing as
the tools and methods of design offer new models for creative
problem solving and interdisciplinary partnerships; and
WHEREAS, Art and design provide real, effective and practical
solutions for our everyday lives, serve to distinguish American
products in a global marketplace and create opportunity for
economic growth; and
WHEREAS, In order to foster innovation and provide this
Commonwealth and our nation with a competitive edge in the 21st
century global economy, it is necessary to support educational
and entrepreneurial growth in both the scientific and creative
spheres; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
week of April 3 through 9, 2016, as "STEAM Initiative Week" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the STEM
Education Coalition for its outstanding efforts to increase
awareness of the critical need for quality education in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics for students, which
subjects are essential for the future success of the economy of
this Commonwealth and the United States; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the
educational philosophy that involves adding "Art" to STEM
education to equal STEAM, as reflected in the STEM to STEAM
movement, and promote the enhancement of a quality STEM
education for students in this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
educators, businesspeople, legislators and individuals in this
Commonwealth to work together to increase awareness of the value
of a solid STEAM education so that in the future this
Commonwealth can maintain a strong work force of qualified
professionals, retain our standing as innovators and stimulate
the economy.
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