For Anthony Quan, education is about helping students understand the world around them.

And he sees the arts as essential to facilitating that understanding.

As Los Angeles County Office of Education STEM Science Coordinator, Anthony serves all 81 school districts in the county. Focusing on STEAM as well as STEM initiatives, he also provides resources and training for teachers at numerous other institutions, at both K through 12 and college level.

And he sees the "A" of "STEAM" as a crucial element.

"You really can't understand the world if you're just learning science," he explains.

"(Or) if you're just learning math...technology (or) engineering."

History, art and storytelling, he continues, are essential to that understanding.

Anthony, who has a background as a marine biologist and an award-winning middle school science teacher, is also the founder of the Los Angeles County Engaging Girls in STEM: a program designed to show girls the possibilities of future careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Imagination and a sense of curiosity are at the core of his work.

So is the concept of STEAM as a facilitator for teaching multiple subjects.

"Through a STEAM lens, we can now take one idea and flow in all these different content areas," he says.

"Where can we address one theme) through math, science, history, P.E., etcetera?"

He also encourages teachers to ask students, "What else are you thinking? What questions are coming up? What do you understand, at this point?"

And the goal, he continues, is to get the students "jazzed" about the world around them.

One such opportunity for teachers is coming up this summer.

In partnership with UCLA Science Project, LACOE will be offering two one-day teacher workshops in July and August.

"Science of Boba" will have participants exploring culturally relevant teaching--as they explore the science, including physics, chemistry and life science concepts, behind this popular beverage! (Here's the link for more information.)

Anthony talked about his background, shared the story of Engaging Girls in STEM and offered a closer look at ways to incorporate the arts into STEM teaching, as well as resources available to students and educators through LACOE.