At the "Learning and the Brain" conference in San Francisco last week, neuroscientists and researchers explored the basic idea that "Brain Science (could be used) to Boost Memory, Thinking and Learning." Many of the speakers seemed to be saying that there are a number of ways to engage young people and enhance learning:

Movement including dance or theater, exercise, and even posture helped young people think more clearly, and enhance memory retention. But, where art-infused education is used to redesign the curriculum, one that is truly integrated, collaborative and interactive, students' attendance dramatically improves, as does performance. It's STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math +the Arts) that will make the difference.

That was certainly the findings presented by Ivonne Chand O'Neal, Director of Research and Evaluation at the Kennedy Center for Education, one of cosponsors of this prestigious event. O'Neal made the point that, based on the Center's recent research, arts integration for kids from the lower socio-economic strata was a formula that held the most promise. And across the board, arts integration--if done right--was the answer to giving our young people the new thinking skills for a new economy. No surprise that the Kennedy education center has been nurturing and studying the important role of the arts in education for over thirty years.