Amy Nakamoto 
Table of Contents
For over 20 years, Discovery Education has been connecting student learning to the real world by nurturing curiosity. We do so through a suite of award-winning digital learning solutions that engage all students and support higher academic achievement. We also offer to partner with industry-leading organizations to create free, standards-aligned resources designed to educate and empower the next generation.
I’m particularly inspired by our partnership with the Country Music Association, called Working in Harmony. Designed for all students, Working in Harmony is about inspiring a new generation of STEAM problem-solvers and creative innovators with digital education resources spotlighting diverse careers in the Country Music industry.
Why STEAM? Not only does the infusion of arts into science, technology, engineering, and math make learning more interesting for students, but research shows that STEAM education leads to higher student achievement. Plus, as students look to the future, STEAM-related occupations are projected to grow by 8.8% between 2020 and 2028, according to research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
STEAM education is so much more than the numbers in these reports. Please meet Tiffany Kerns, the Executive Director at the CMA Foundation, to learn more about STEAM and how it can take learning to a new level.
Country Music and education – what’s the connection there?
The Country Music Association is a trade association that promotes and strengthens the business conditions for the Country Music industry. One of the best ways we can support the genre is to support the current professionals that work in our business while simultaneously educating the next generation about the opportunities that exist within the industry. We believe it’s critical to meet students where they are, so we take the guesswork out of pursuing a career in the music business and try to create and expose students to content that allows them to better understand the many professions that exist.
We also know how important it is to celebrate and support the educators, specifically music educators, that are going above and beyond in the classroom. For us, we do this through our Music Teachers of Excellence program, which recognizes 30 music teachers across the country for the impact they are making in their classrooms and communities. We believe it’s our responsibility to ensure our industry’s future, and education is one of the many ways we do this.
Working in Harmony is a content-rich initiative that is educating students on more than a dozen different professions in the Country Music industry. Time and time again we hear that former students found their way to the music industry by accident or as a result of being curious post-college graduation. We want to fast-track that curiosity. We want to expose students early so they can pursue opportunities and explore ideas. Knowledge is power, and our goal is to educate students, so they are better positioned and prepared to pursue a career in music.
What are some resources you’re excited about?
We are most excited about the resources that teachers receive as part of Working in Harmony. Our charitable arm, the CMA Foundation, has been working closely with music teachers for over a decade. We’ve learned that making content and curriculum that is turnkey allows for the teachers to be excited rather than stressed. We don’t want to add work to their already full plates, but rather provide a tool that allows them to connect with their students in a fun and innovative way. Music is in everything we do, so why not give teachers the ability to connect with students in a new way with a tool that is engaging to most students?
I’m particularly excited about the virtual field trip at the CMA Awards. Country Music’s Biggest Night: STEAM Takes the Spotlight Virtual Field Trip shows students in grades 6-12 how STEAM drives innovation in Country Music. It’s a great example of celebrating all voices as students see the processes and meet the people behind the longest-running annual music awards program on network television. Students meet the various STEAM professionals, including stage management, hair and makeup, production, and security, who all have diverse skills and backgrounds that help make Country Music’s Biggest Night™ a reality.
What else do you want educators to know about STEAM education?
Arts education is a part of a well-rounded education. We believe and have seen that students who get the opportunity to participate in the arts excel not just in music, but in all aspects of life. STEAM connects ALL students. Kids are already listening to music, so plugging in arts into STEM meets them where they’re already at. They are the ultimate music consumers both inside and out of the classroom, and through these resources, you get the rare opportunity to show them how music is made, and who is responsible for bringing it to their headphones, earbuds, or devices. Ultimately, STEAM education connects the dots between what they’re already doing and the bigger world, catalyzing their curiosity to explore more.
How can students and educators get involved in STEAM learning?
Find the music and/or arts teachers in your building. Ask them to share information about their programs and explain your curiosity. I’ve never met a music teacher that wasn’t excited when given the opportunity to expose interested learners (students and teachers) to the arts. Be sure to check out Working in Harmony to see how STEAM can nurture your student’s curiosity.
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