Expanding the ‘A’ in STEAM: Integrating Poetry and AI for Educational Evolution

In this systematic literature review spanning the last five years (2018–2023), the role of poetry within the ‘A’ for Arts in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education is examined. Specifically, the primary purpose of this study is to delve into the integration of poetry and Artificial Intelligence into the STEAM teaching method. The research objectives which guide this study are to understand the methods and depth of including poetry in STEAM and evaluate how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance poetry's role in STEAM. Using the PRISMA methodology, an extensive search was conducted in key databases such as Scopus and Google Scholar. This search identified 26 crucial papers, then analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Current STEAM teaching approaches focus on merging literary expressions with essential scientific disciplines. A large part of the findings points to new teaching methods that bring together poetic elements and the usual STEAM subjects. These methods increase student participation, bridge the gap between arts and sciences and encourage creative problem-solving. In the realm of STEAM education, the significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing. The findings suggest that AI can boost teaching methods centred on poetry in STEAM. AI allows for lesson adjustments based on students' engagement with poetry, creates platforms for more student participation, and offers feedback to help educators improve their teaching methods. However, there are challenges in merging the exactness of AI algorithms with the complexities of poetry, especially when trying to maintain poetry's essence. As STEAM education moves towards a more integrated model, the interplay between AI's technical abilities and the nuances of poetry calls for further scholarly research based on these findings.