Call to Action

This is not a manifesto but a work in progress that will be informed, revised, and remain open-ended about the principles of a modern whole-child interdisciplinary STEAM school inspired by Aristotle’s Lyceum. This is the first draft that needs the community’s input. This is a live text to be read and critiqued; it’s a thesis that needs the multitude of your antitheses to arrive at a synthesis. It is a call to action.

The first iteration of this school will be a school for preschoolers, and the pilot will be a summer program for the months that the schools are closed: July and August. Parents, educators, and anyone who is interested, please subscribe and comment to the Astoria Agora to be part of the creation of a school where students will learn to navigate the complexities of modern society and global challenges through a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, interdisciplinary learning, ethical reasoning, and scientific and technological proficiency. The envisioned school will not only serve as an example of academic excellence but also as a community where the enduring quest for truth is coupled with the ethical application of knowledge. In this setting, students will engage with a curriculum that spans the arts and sciences, fostering a Liberal Arts education that Aristotle would recognize as the cultivation of the whole person.

Educating the Whole Person: Aristotle’s Lyceum Inspires a Modern STEAM School

My dream is a school based on the principles of the ancient Greek spirit, as systematized in Aristotle’s Lyceum, creating a thread that could be traced through every step of the history of human civilization. The cornerstones of this history from Aristotle’s Lyceum to today are the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the Scientific Revolution, Liberal Arts Education, the American Revolution, the Internet, and the ongoing Technological Revolution.

This dream is about a school that is not only an institution for academic learning but also a place for cultivating informed, conscientious, democratic citizens. It embodies the essence of the ancient Greek spirit, which celebrated the pursuit of knowledge through rational inquiry, ethical reflection, and communal discourse. It was that spirit that gave birth to Philosophy, Democracy, Mathematics, Science, Medicine, the Arts, Literature, and Theatre.

The Renaissance revitalized the ancient Greek principles and reminded humanity of the power of individual potential and creativity, paving the way for the Enlightenment. This subsequent age of reason took the principles of rational inquiry and applied them not only to science through the Scientific Revolution but also to human rights and governance. Those ideals profoundly influenced the American Constitution and the formation of a nation built on democratic principles and secular governance.

Here, we have to remember that Aristotle is known as the father of Liberal Arts Education through his comprehensive curriculum that integrated diverse fields of study, ranging from natural sciences to ethics and the arts, emphasizing a holistic approach to education that remains central to Liberal Arts philosophy. In recent decades, though, decisions to cut Liberal Arts programs from universities and schools because of demands for job-ready graduates resulted in the enrollment of students in majors they perceived as offering better employment prospects and higher earnings potential post-graduation. Consequently, there is a prioritization of funding for programs directly tied to job market needs. Also, the rapid pace of technological change and the increasing value placed on technical skills in the digital economy has contributed to a devaluation of Liberal Arts in the eyes of some decision-makers and the public. As a result, there’s been a noticeable shift towards treating education as a commodity, where the value of a degree is measured predominantly by its market returns rather than its contribution to intellectual growth and societal well-being.

The irony is that the skills cultivated in Liberal Arts, critical thinking, communication, creativity, adaptability, and ethical reasoning, are arguably more crucial than ever in our rapidly evolving, complex world. Several public figures, among them Steve Jobs, John Maeda, and Marissa Mayer, have famously attributed their success to the blend of technology and the Liberal Arts.

Today, as we stand in awe in the middle of the ongoing Technological Revolution characterized by advancements in artificial intelligence, big data, and global connectivity, the need for an education that can integrate the enduring lessons of the past with the constraints of the present becomes increasingly crucial. The Internet, a cornerstone of modern technology, represents a paradigm shift similar to those brought about by the printing press during the Renaissance. It has democratized the access to information but also presented challenges that require critical, well-informed thinkers and ethical decision-makers.

Whole-child Interdisciplinary STEAM Education: An Aristotle’s Lyceum Revival

Aristotle’s Lyceum is the closest ancient precursor to a modern whole-child interdisciplinary STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) educational model. Aristotle’s holistic approach to knowledge, which incorporates diverse subjects from the natural sciences to the arts and ethics, aligns remarkably well with the integrative spirit of the whole-child interdisciplinary STEAM education. The reasons why the Lyceum stands out in this respect are:

·      Interdisciplinary Approach

Aristotle’s philosophy did not recognize the rigid divisions between disciplines that we often see today. His work bridged what we now consider separate fields, from ethics to economics and from politics to poetics. This interdisciplinary approach encourages a holistic view of learning, mirroring the STEAM model’s integration of arts and sciences to foster a more comprehensive understanding of complex problems, hence the “interdisciplinary” term in interdisciplinary STEAM education, which advocates for blending arts and sciences.

·      Emphasis on Empirical Observation and the Natural World

Aristotle championed empirical observation and hands-on inquiry, making extensive studies of biology, physics, and astronomy. His method of systematic observation and categorization of the natural world is the first step toward the scientific method, a cornerstone of modern science and technology education. The Lyceum’s focus on empirical evidence and the natural sciences aligns with the ‘S’ and ‘T’ in STEAM.

·      Combination of Theoretical and Applied Knowledge

Aristotle’s Lyceum was not just about theoretical knowledge but also involved applying it to practical problems. Aristotle himself wrote on a variety of subjects that had direct applications to the lives of people and the functioning of society, from political theory to rhetoric. This mirrors the ‘E’ in STEAM, emphasizing engineering and applied science.

·      Theatre as Research on the Human Condition

Aristotle’s profound engagement with theatre, particularly through his work, “Poetics,” underscores his appreciation of drama as a vital tool for exploring and understanding the human condition. He viewed tragedy, with its complex interplay of character, plot, and cathartic resolution, as more than mere entertainment. Theatre was a form of intellectual inquiry into ethics, emotions, and human psychology. Theatre served as a mirror to society, reflecting the virtues, vices, challenges, and triumphs of humanity. This dual role of theatre as both artistic expression and a method of inquiry exemplifies the integrative spirit of STEAM education, where art is understood as a means for exploring and solving real-world problems through empathetic and creative thinking. This aligns with the ‘A’ in STEAM (Arts), where creative and artistic endeavors are not only valued for their aesthetic contributions but also for their ability to provide deep insights into human experiences and societal issues.

·      Logic and Reason

The “Organon” is a collection of Aristotle’s works on logical analysis and dialectics, which form the foundational texts of classical logic and were used in Aristotle’s Lyceum. Aristotle’s contributions to logic, dialectics, and the development of syllogism are foundational to critical thinking and reasoning skills essential in all disciplines, including mathematics (the ‘M’ in STEAM). His work laid the groundwork for analytical thinking, vital for problem-solving across the STEAM fields.

·      Ethics and the Role of the Human Being in Society

Aristotle placed significant emphasis on ethics, politics, and the role of human beings in society. He studied how individuals could live well within communities. This study integrates “the humanities” with the sciences, advocating for a balanced education that includes the ethical implications of scientific and technological advancements. This aligns with the modern STEAM ethos, which also considers the social impact of scientific knowledge and technological innovation. The humanities and the ethical implications of STEAM education are symbolized by the “Whole-Child” in the Whole-Child Interdisciplinary STEAM Education.

“Organon” and “Poetics”

The “Organon” and “Poetics” underscore Aristotle’s profound influence on logic, dialectic, literary arts, and theatre. This justifies theatre’s central role in an educational framework that seeks to blend the analytical with the creative in a modern STEAM curriculum aligning with the Aristotelean principles.

By its nature, theatre encourages empathy and ethical reflection, themes deeply embedded in Aristotle’s philosophy. Through dramatization of the human condition, students can explore complex social, ethical, and personal issues, fostering a deeper understanding of themselves and others. The collaborative nature of STEAM projects aligns with theatre’s collaborative aspect, where writers, actors, directors, artists, and technicians come together to create a unified piece of art. This teamwork fosters communication, leadership, and social skills.

Theatre can serve as a unique medium for exploring and teaching subjects across the STEAM spectrum. Historical plays can bring to life the context and consequences of scientific discoveries and technological innovations, while fictional works can explore ethical dilemmas posed by new advances. The arts, including theatre, provide a narrative context that can make complex scientific and mathematical concepts more accessible and engaging.

Analyzing scripts and characters, understanding the nuances of dialogue and plot, and critiquing performances require sharp analytical and critical thinking skills. The creative demands of theatre, from scriptwriting and acting to music creation, stage design, and direction, encourage students to think outside the box, fostering the kind of innovative thinking that is crucial in science and technology fields. This creative process is deeply interconnected with the scientific method, which often requires imaginative approaches to hypothesis formation and problem-solving.

In a modern-day revival of Aristotle’s Lyceum, theatre could be where logic meets creativity, ethical considerations are combined with scientific inquiry, and collaborative skills are enhanced in a context that values both the individual and the community. This approach could foster a generation of thinkers who are not only skilled in their respective fields but also empathetic, creative, and ethically grounded, true to the spirit of a holistic education.