Editor:
Humboldt State University is at the beginning of an exciting new path to establish a polytechnic university right here in Arcata. A very large sum of money is earmarked to make this transition.
In reading Barry Evans’ article (“Cal Poly Humboldt?” Aug. 26) he describes his own educational path as being an either/or situation regarding science or arts. It doesn’t sound like the most desirable kind of education.
Our university seems to be looking at a similar separation of “left” and “right” brain education for the next generation of students. I don’t see why the establishment of Cal Poly Humboldt needs to follow this line of thinking.
STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. To me this kind of education sounds very dry and dull, sort of like a saltine cracker without the salt. A newer, more complete approach to education is called STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, ARTS, and Math). Saltine with cheese and salsa!
STEAM and a polytechnic university complement each other. Mr. Evans says, “The polytechnic approach emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning ….” Precisely what arts education is all about! He further says, “… humanities and arts … the counterpoint to STEM.” I say, not so! STEAM education is complete education!
In my travels as a musician and music educator, I have met and made music with doctors, lawyers, computer engineers — even a NASA scientist!
HSU already has top-notch programs in music, theater, dance and art. They must be incorporated into any future for HSU and our next generation.
Fred Tempas, Arcata
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This article appears in The State of Covid-19.
Pretty sure Fred isn’t exactly an uninterested party, at least judging by his bio at HSU, which notes he’s a lecturer in the field of….music.
Are comments being censored here also?
Comments are censored. Welcome to Amerikkka, land of no free speech except for those with the ‘right’ words.
Thank you, Fred Tempas, for saying so clearly how we have drifted from a full, whole education, to one of parts designed only for training for a career. I don’t know whatever happened to a liberal education, but it seems to be less important these days.
Separating science and technology from the arts may attract career-track students, but leaves the whole person behind. I can think of many historical figures who benefited from the breadth of knowledge. Imagine how possibly less artistic would the photographs of Ansel Adams be if he didn’t learn and excel at the piano. If all he learned in college was chemistry, his photos could have lacked art. Think of the musical genius of Albert Einstein and how his mind could dream of a cosmos that included philosophy as much as astronomy. What would Holst’s “The Planets” sound like if he did not understand the physical nature of the solar system?
When I went to HSU in the 1970’s I received a “special major” BA in Natural History. Back then, a student needed to combine three disciplines, one department meeting a major, another meeting a minor, and the third making the curriculum unique. My majors were Botany, Geology and Art (photography).
Without a multidisciplinary approach and broadness toward all knowledge, we are sure to leave something behind with our future leaders and citizens.
Here are apt words from someone who benefited from a full education…
“The crippling of individuals I consider the worst evil of capitalism. Our whole educational system suffers from this evil. An exaggerated competitive attitude is inculcated into the student, who is trained to worship acquisitive success as a preparation for his future career.” – Albert Einstein
“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” – Albert Einstein