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Planting the Seeds of STEAM w/ Ariane Szu-Tu, Nat Geo Kids

July 2, 2023·26 min·2 clips

James Maynard kicks off a wild ride through STEAM education, linking it to the first STEAM train from 1802.

This episode of The Cosmic Companion features host James Maynard in conversation with Ariane Szu-Tu, a Senior Editor at National Geographic Kids Books. They explore the philosophy and implementation of STEAM education, which integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Maynard opens with a historical analogy, linking the development of 19th-century steam trains to the interdisciplinary nature of STEAM. The discussion details how STEAM applies to publishing, specifically in creating engaging children's books about space and science. Szu-Tu explains her editorial process for selecting topics and authors that make complex subjects accessible. She highlights the importance of visual arts and design in nonfiction books to captivate young readers. The conversation covers specific National Geographic Kids titles that blend astronomy facts with interactive elements. They examine how engineering principles can be taught through simple, hands-on activities described in books. Szu-Tu emphasizes the role of technology in modern educational resources, including digital extensions for print media. The episode connects these publishing efforts to broader goals of inspiring future scientists and informed citizens. A key insight is that the "A" for Arts is a critical, integrated component, not just an add-on, for effective science communication. Szu-Tu reveals editorial challenges, like accurately simplifying concepts such as black holes for a second-grade reading level. The historical steam train analogy serves as a sustained metaphor for how separate disciplines combine to drive progress. An interesting claim is that today's children's books are designed to be co-experienced by kids and their parents together. The episode suggests that early exposure to well-crafted STEAM content can shape long-term educational trajectories. Szu-Tu shares an anecdote about the surprising popularity of certain space topics, like moon landings, over others. The tone is enthusiastic, conversational, and educational, with a focus on inspiring the audience. The style employs playful analogies and clear explanations aimed at a general listener. This episode is ideal for educators, parents, and anyone interested in science communication or children's publishing. Listeners seeking a highly technical or critical analysis of educational policy might find the discussion too introductory and optimistic.

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