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STEM vs. STEAM: The Importance of Creativity

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By Sriya Tallapragada

Dear teachers,

STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—once a simple acronym, it has now evolved into one of the buzzwords that instantly catches the attention of most educators. However, I’m not an educator. I’m a middle school student in New Jersey and, for me, those four letters represent my future.

As the only child of two Indian immigrants who were both software engineers, my parents worked hard every day to make sure I had opportunities that they didn’t. They pressed upon me the importance of education and enrolled me in a great, innovative school.

Possibly one of my brightest memories was in that school’s newly constructed STEM lab. We were a giggling group of fifth graders surrounded by 3D printers and hot glue guns—a scenario that could only end in chaos. But having the freedom to make whatever we wanted, how ever we wanted, was something that invigorated our creativity. My friends and I had so much fun building popsicle stick catapults, egg drop sacks, and cardboard bridges.

Going into middle school, I was eager to take every opportunity to continue the golden moments that I experienced in the STEM lab. I immediately joined my school’s STEM club, expecting the room to be overflowing with curious young minds. Instead, I was greeted by mostly empty chairs. Out of our school of 200+ students, less than 10 had decided to join.

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Sriya Tallapragada is a middle school student who is passionate about the intersection between STEM, female empowerment, and writing. 

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Sriya Tallapragada
Sriya Tallapragada
Sriya Tallapragada is a middle school student who is passionate about the intersection between STEM, female empowerment, and writing. 

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