STEM and Humanities are The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter, a film by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, is an illustration of why we need to build an education system that goes well beyond the teaching and memorizing of facts and the ability to regurgitate those facts on a standardized test.

The Heart of the Matter from americanacad on Vimeo.

We need to give the students of today a well-balanced education that includes all factors, including STEM and Humanities to create well rounded members of the work force and society tomorrow.

“Philosophy, religion, history, literature, music, culture – the humanities are those subject areas that allow us to probe what it means to be human” – Earl Lewis, Historian and President of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The short film includes many of America’s brilliant minds who are part of the Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences sharing their inspirational quotes and thoughts to illustrate our need to combine STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) along with Humanities and Social Sciences to fully paint a picture of history, development and progress in our society.

“If we look at what’s beautiful and ask the question, is our lives only about the mundane? Was it also about the beauty?” – Earl Lewis, Historian and President of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

In other words, teaching the power of technology and advancements along with human emotion and the WOW of it all.

“If we leave behind the humanities and see it as unimportant, I think we will lose our ability to dream.” – Billie Tsien, Architect.

To be truly valuable members and innovators in our society, STEM students must graduate with  an appreciation of the humanities and humanities and social science students must graduate with an understanding of STEM.

“No humanity is no soul” – George Lucas

Source: American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Humanities Commission

 

 

 

 

 

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