SAN ANTONIO – You've probably heard of STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math, a popular curriculum in schools in San Antonio and across the country.
But some school districts are now emphasizing STEAM, it's the same as STEM, but it also encourages art.
Friday is National STEAM or STEM day, an opportunity to emphasize the fields of learning and set up students for their futures.
"My favorite part in class is math," said Cooper McMullen, a 7-year-old student at Cornerstone Christian Schools.
The students recently took a trip to Legoland.
"It takes a lot of math, especially some engineering and stuff to make sure the structures fit together properly, and they are strong and sturdy enough to stand up to wear and tear and everything," said Kevin Hintz, a master model builder.
Hintz is in charge of coming up with the creations and said Legoland can be a perfect opportunity to teach.
"I just hope that they come and they enjoy themselves," Hintz said. "They have fun that they can actually learn some valuable life lessons. And like those STEM skills and stuff without necessarily knowing that they're learning, or having the pressure of learning and being in a fun environment."
Teachers present at Legoland are in agreement.
“It’s not in your typical school environment, where it’s in a fun setting and they can have fun learning and it’s not a worksheet. It’s not pen to paper,” said Lauren Manis, a second-grade teacher at Cornerstone Christian Schools.
The idea is to teach STEM or STEAM with hands-on activities and workshops and these subjects aren't going away anytime soon.
“It’s so important, it’s what our world is going towards is technology,” Manis said.