Humanity Moving Since Pre-historic Times to the Future with Creative STEAM

Abstract

In this chapter I go beyond the concept of STEM, to present in contemporary educational proposals for the entire world. The first strategies of the human species to deal with are natural facts and phenomena; these are generally embraced by concept of Technology. Early humans generated ad-hoc solutions to satisfy their needs for survival. From shelter to nourishment, these solutions were essential in the evolution of the species. The emotional evolution of the species led to generating ad-hoc solutions to satisfy their desire which transcend needs. Next, probably the turning point in the evolution of the species was to recognize that how to face an ad-hoc situation might be used in other similar situations. This means, recognizing that the “hows” constitute methods. This step leads to ask why and in which circumstances methods work. This is the quintessence of Science. Understanding how and why, humans venture into the new, imagining new representations of the real, thus creating Arts, and innovating with the introduction of new material constructs, thus creating Engineering. But Science required new intellectual instruments to understand the “hows” and “whys”. These intellectual instruments gave rise origin to Mathematics. Thus, the evolution of material and intellectual instruments developed by the human species is the evolution of Technology, Science, Arts, Engineering and Mathematics. Even ignoring historical precedence, a central topic in Education is Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering and Mathematics or STEAM. STEAM is a response to natural and social environment and, together with mythology, the support of culture. I use a metaphor. STEAM was decisive for the emergence of the Industrial Era. Thus the metaphorical figure of the STEAM as the fuel that moves mankind to the future.