STEM and STEAM is about integration and bringing all the pillars together to work as a whole, rather than as independent subjects. How can this be applied in a practical, straightforward manner?
STEM can be applied to a lesson in five steps:

#1 BRAINSTORM – Either alone as the teacher or as a group with your students, brainstorm the many ideas, topics and areas you could focus on within that umbrella topic.

#2 INVESTIGATE – Investigate the individual ideas as they relate to the main topic and see what connections you can draw. What areas overlap? How can you bring the individual ideas together in a way that makes sense?

#3 APPLY – Apply the 4 pillars of STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and consider adding the fifth pillar of Arts. Which ones can you bring into the lesson in a meaningful and relevant way?

#4 CREATE – Create and conduct your lesson. Be prepared for mistakes. Be prepared for exploration. Be prepared for the trials of discovery. STEM is inquiry and process driven.

#5 REFLECT – Reflect on what worked and what didn’t work after each lesson. Understanding what really engages your students and captures their interest, making them motivated learners.