STEAM is an idea that encourages the mending of the counterproductive split between STEM (Science / Technology / Engineering / Math) and Art/Design.
Our Mission
The Mission of the STEAMplant initiative is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and “art” as defined by the diverse disciplines pursued at Pratt.
What We Do
STEAMplant supports its mission through four programs, which produce work that engages an audience in STEM:
The Sirovich Family Student Scholarship Program supports, with up to $5,000 in funding, graduate and upperclass undergraduate students at Pratt doing STEAM work in their major or thesis.
The STEAMplant STEP Grant supports, with up to $7,500 in funding, STEAM projects conducted by Pratt community members that engage STEP students in a STEM discipline.
The Sirovich Family Residency Program supports, with up to $7,500 in funding, creative and scientific professionals outside of the Pratt community seeking to work on a STEAM project in residency at Pratt.
The Sirovich Family Faculty & Staff Project Grant supports, with up to $7,500 in funding, STEAM projects conducted by Pratt faculty and staff members.
Projects are additionally supported by the broad array of resources that are available at the Institute, including vast knowledge and a wide range of technological capabilities, especially those that can be used to produce creative work. STEAMplant projects produce work that can be exhibited or shared publicly on or off Pratt’s campus, and communicated to a targeted audience through organized events, social media, and our mailing list.
Why Interdisciplinary Collaboration?
Interdisciplinary collaboration leads to the generation of new scientific ideas and approaches, the creation of novel and cutting-edge artistic projects, and innovation within and between fields. In the context of our academic campus, projects which result from interdisciplinary collaboration impact the mindsets and working methods of both current practitioners at the top of their fields—our faculty, staff, and guest residents—and the future generation of creative professionals and industry leaders: our students. We believe the expanded point of view and lived experience that interdisciplinary projects provide leads to an invaluable skill set applicable at all levels of a diverse array of academic and career pathways.
STEAM On & Beyond Campus
Each STEAMplant project includes and culminates in a public-facing engagement, such as an exhibition, workshop, demonstration, lecture, performance, publication, or website. Housed on Pratt Institute’s campuses in New York City, our projects not only engage our students, faculty, and staff, but the greater area community, with all events free and open to the public. Often, STEAMplant projects go on to live in other places, as they evolve and grow following their start at Pratt.
Projects are additionally supported by the broad array of resources that are available at the Institute, including vast knowledge and a wide range of technological capabilities, especially those that can be used to produce creative work. STEAMplant projects produce work that can be exhibited or shared publicly on or off Pratt’s campus, and communicated to a targeted audience through organized events, social media, and our mailing list.
STEAMplant is generously supported by the Sirovich family.
For inquiries regarding STEAMplant, our programs, and our call for projects, please email steamplant@pratt.edu.