According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEAM-related occupations are projected to grow by 8.8% between 2020 and 2028. While research shows that 62% of students in the U.S. would consider a STEAM career in the future, they aren’t getting enough support in STEAM at school.
The Country Music Association (CMA) and Discovery Education partnered to inspire a new generation of STEAM problem-solvers and creative innovators with digital education resources spotlighting diverse careers in the Country Music industry. Designed to support K-12 STEAM curriculum and collaboration with music educators, Working in Harmony gives classrooms and households nationwide an inside look at how STEAM skills and collaboration work in concert to innovate the genre of Country Music.
The partnership provides students and educators with access to free standards-aligned materials that highlight and celebrate diverse positions in STEAM that can be used effectively in school that encourage students to consider these careers for themselves.
The Country Music Association and Discovery Education launched Working in Harmony in October 2022. The partnership features video topic series, classroom activities, educator guides, a virtual field trip, and family activities available at no cost to educators, families, and students. CMA is the first music organization to partner with Discovery Education.
The partnership grew out of CMA’s and the CMA Foundation’s extensive work in education. As the philanthropic arm of CMA, the CMA Foundation works tirelessly to provide equitable access to music education for students K-12 through intentional investments and partnerships. In addition, the CMA EDU Leadership Program is the organization’s collegiate career development program supporting the next generation of music industry leaders at the beginning of their careers through mentorships and access to exciting, real-world music industry opportunities.
As the worldwide education technology leader, Discovery Education ideates and creates all the content aligned to learning standards in collaboration with CMA. Discovery Education’s staff of curriculum experts create resources in CMA’s vision and direction and direct input from educators across the country. Aligned to learning standards, the resources are rigorously vetted and tested by educators for effectiveness and engagement. Available on cmaworkinginharmony.com and within Discovery Education’s award-wining learning platform, Experience, educators across the world have access at no cost. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories.
A three-part video series with corresponding standards-aligned curriculum titled “This is STEAM Country!” was released at launch that captured the science and technology behind live performances and festivals. The program continued to grow in the new year, with the debut of the STEAM Careers Take the Spotlight Virtual Field Trip: Country Music's Biggest Night™ in February 2023. This immersive video experience takes students on an exclusive trip inside the CMA Awards, including one-of-a-kind access to the professionals that make the night possible. This was accomplished by filming the awards ceremony and conducting interviews with individuals in STEAM-related positions, ranging from production and lighting crew to makeup and costume professionals.
The Working in Harmony initiative is unique in its position as the only program currently connecting students interested in STEAM to career opportunities in the music industry. There is a significant gap in programs that explore the relationship between STEAM and the careers children are most interested in. It may not seem realistic for every child to become a world-renowned musician, but it is realistic for them to work in the industry. Although fields such as research and development or medicine are extremely important, these are often the only careers children think they can enter if they want to work in STEM. The more opportunities and industries children know about, the more likely they are to work in STEAM in the future.
Working in Harmony has reached 2 million students and 55,000 educators across the United States since the launch in 2022. Specifically, the STEAM Careers Take the Spotlight Virtual Field Trip: Country Music's Biggest Night™ engaged 1.1 million students.
Because of Working in Harmony, students have been able to explore creative jobs in the STEAM field and discover how STEAM skills are used to create the unique sounds and unforgettable experiences of Country Music.
