Integration of STEM Education in Malaysia and Why to STEAM

STEM education and political priorities in the US and is rated as one way to ensure global competitiveness. Integrated approach to STEM school level gaining popularity in developed countries like the United States, South Korea, China and Australia. However, much of the debate and suggested that the study of art combined with appropriate discipline of science, technology, engineering and mathematics change STEM to STEAM. STEAM paradigm also emphasizes the importance of STEM education, but also stressed that the art has the ability to open up new ways of seeing, thinking and learning. Whereas current developments in Malaysia has started to show a deep interest and efforts on behalf of the Malaysian government to implement the STEM approach. This article discusses the development of STEM to STEAM education in the United States and the efforts made in Malaysia have begun to use this approach. This study is a qualitative study using literature review. This article proposes combining elements of art into the disciplines in STEM to STEAM in order to strengthen the STEM education, also suggest that the main thing to keep in mind to implement STEM education is to increase the interest of students and teachers' awareness of STEM education. This step involves a new approach to learning and strengthen the curriculum, teacher training and discussions with all interested parties (stakeholders) in order to make STEM education comprehensive and inclusive.