It seems there’s a new acronym rising these days, STEAM for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. I was sent some information about a STEAM infographic produced by the University of Florida (it seems associated in some fashion with the university’s online Master of Arts in Art Education),

Meanwhile over in the June 2014 issue of the Nano Bite (from NISENet [Nanoscale Information Science Education Network]), this news item about STEAM is featured,

→ Girls Full STEAM Ahead!
Author credit: Erika DuRoss, The Leonardo Museum [Salt Lake City, Utah]

We’re all familiar with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) – it’s a buzzword that continues to build momentum in education. There are dozens of studies on how to improve STEM education at all levels. But what happens when you introduce art into STEM?

That’s exactly the type of question we explore at The Leonardo Museum in downtown Salt Lake City. By approaching big topics in science and culture through the lens of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), we are able to appeal to populations and make applications that could otherwise be overlooked. Just like Da Vinci himself, we use a cross-methodological approach. Now, Da Vinci didn’t have the chance to explore nanoscience during his lifespan, but we think he would have given two thumbs up to our newest nano exploration – an all girls’ summer camp called Girls Full STEAM Ahead!

We use nanoscience to make STEAM more than just an acronym, but a daily practice. With support from a 2014 NISE Network Mini-Grant, our campers will get the chance to interact with female professionals in science, art, and technology who will act as mentors and role models. Participants will also be asked to use what they learn in order to create a new nano-oriented board game, which they will prototype in another camp that runs simultaneously with Girls Full STEAM Ahead…continue reading the full Partner Highlight to learn more about the goals and objectives of the Girls Full STEAM Ahead summer camp and how the campers will help play a role in developing a game based on nanoscience!

To learn more about The Leonardo and its unique approach to education, please visit www.theleonardo.org, or contact Tim Hecox from Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and the West Regional Hub Leader.

For anyone curious about the camp session in Salt Lake City, there’s this notice on the leonardo.org’s  Camp Leo: Girls full STEAM ahead! webpage,

Event:    Camp Leo – Girls Full STEAM Ahead!
Date:     Monday, July 7, 2014
Time:     8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
If you want to do something big, you’ve got to think small! Yes, you read that right—we’re talking atomic level tiny. This camp is made by girls, just for girls. Female scientists and engineers will lead you into the amazing world of nanoscience using art, technology, and even games! But we won’t stop there, you’ll also develop your own activity to share with your friends and family at home. STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) is what we are all about here at The Leonardo!
Date: July 7-11
Age: 9-12
Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm

In other news from the June 2014 issue of the Nano Bite, the NISENet website has undergone a change and there will be some summer Brown Bag conversations,

Mark your calendars for the NISE Network summer series of Brown-Bag Conversations. These conversations, led by Christina Akers from the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Midwest Regional Hub Leader, will help prepare partners who will be receiving the Nano mini-exhibition, to help supplement knowledge for partners who currently have pieces on the floor, are looking for great ideas on staff/volunteer training, and will also cover marketing strategies and resources for promoting the mini-exhibition.

Exhibit Small Talk – Tips for Hosting the Nano Mini-Exhibition: Staff Training
Thursday, July 24, 2014 (2pm – 3pm ET / 11am – 12pm PT)
RSVP for this conversation!

Exhibit Small Talk – Tips for Hosting the Nano Mini-Exhibition: Marketing Strategies
Wednesday, August 27, 2014 (2pm – 3pm ET / 11am – 12pm PT)
RSVP for this conversation!

Yo can find the full June 2014 issue of the Nano Bite here.