STEM to STEAM
STEM to STEAM – The “A” is for Acting
Irondale’s STEM to STEAM program uses the skills of theatrical improvisation to help science researcher students learn to become better presenters. Students learn to understand and engage their audiences, craft the story of their research, and use their voices and bodies to create truly compelling presentations.
Improvisation is one of the essential tools of Irondale’s approach to theatre and has become a hallmark of the company’s education programs. Through it, students in STEM to STEAM workshops learn how to demonstrate what they know and how they know it, and are being prepared not only for formal, program-based presentations, but to present themselves and all of their work and interests eloquently and compellingly in the world.
This wide-reaching program was born out of a collaboration with a middle school robotics team and is taught by some of New York’s finest Teaching Artists.
Just released!
STEM to STEAM White Paper: click here to view

Photo Credit: Eileen Barroso
“We have seen Irondale teaching artists help teens in science research programs become more comfortable public speakers and better explainers of their science research. The skills they learn – improved stage presence and increased confidence and focus – are transferable to whatever career paths they end up pursuing.”
-The Pinkerton Foundation
What they Say

Photo Credit: Eileen Barroso
Our current STEAM partners include NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering, Wave Hill, Rockefeller University, Mount Sinai’s Center for Excellence in Youth Education, CUNY’s Remote Sensing of the Earth Science and Technology Institute, DNA Learning Center of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, American Museum of Natural History, Columbia University’s Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, City College of New York, Hypothekids, Genspace, Baruch College, and Brooklyn College. Through these partnerships, we are currently reaching over 600 students annually. Many of our partner programs are members of the NYC Science Research and Mentoring Consortium.
Read more about Irondale’s STEM to STEAM work at CityLimits.org and NYU’s STEM Education Blog.
If you are interested in setting up STEM to STEAM workshops for a program or group, please contact education@irondale.org
Support for this program is generously provided by The Pinkerton Foundation and Con Edison.
Visit Us
It’s Easy to Get to Irondale
in the heart of Brooklyn’s Cultural District
85 South Oxford Street
Fort Greene, Brooklyn 11217