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European School Education Platform

Increasing student engagement in STEAM education

Practice article

Increasing student engagement in STEAM education

STEAM is an integrated approach to learning that combines the arts with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and uses it as an access point for guiding student inquiry, creativity and problem-solving. This multidisciplinary approach promotes gender-inclusive learning by encouraging girls to explore scientific topics and making the arts more appealing to boys.
teacher explaining robotics to students
Adobe Stock/Monkey Business

Keep reading to discover a selection of EU-funded projects that show how to teach STEAM in an interactive and engaging way.

 

Engaging students in STEAM

 

Steam Builders is an ongoing project that seeks to engage students in STEAM activities through a variety of interdisciplinary teaching methods. It prioritises concrete life situations over purely theory-based learning as a way to engage students in the topic. It has developed pedagogical resources that use historical heritage to explain and contextualise mathematics and science concepts. The project outputs so far include a pedagogical guide, a non-formal education in STEAM Booklet and teaching materials to help teachers implement a cross-curricular approach.

 

The ArtIST project aims to develop multidisciplinary programmes combining arts and technology, hard and soft skills, and business and entrepreneurial training. More specifically, it designs and implements Master-level modules integrating the arts into the education of innovation, entrepreneurship and science. By adding this creative element, it helps to modernise the teaching of STEM subjects and enhances students’ problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills. The flexible modular structure allows both teachers and students to mix and match STEAM modules based on their needs and interests. The project has produced a set of comprehensive teaching materials to facilitate the implementation of this programme.

 

 

 

 

Europeana is an online platform providing digital access to European cultural heritage material on a variety of themes and topics. Resources including artworks, books, music, videos and newspapers are freely accessible on the website and can be used to enrich STEM learning. The Teaching with Europeana blog is also a valuable resource where teachers can exchange lesson plans and share their tips and opinions. Europeana has a dedicated space to STEAM learning scenarios, containing detailed lesson plans and activities on how to integrate digital cultural heritage into STEM subjects, such as mathematics.

 

 

 

 

The IN2STEAM project was developed by CESIE (Centre of European Studies and Initiatives) to inspire primary school children, with a focus on girls, to pursue careers in STEM fields. The project equips teachers with the necessary skills to teach STEAM concepts at primary school level. A common theme in these projects is the development of students’ creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving competencies. These are skills that will complement their technical abilities and prepare them for the 21st Century world of work. The project prioritises gender-inclusive teaching methods to increase young girls’ interest in STEM subjects, as women are still underrepresented in careers in STEM fields. Resources include online training modules and guidelines for teachers to effectively introduce STEAM approaches in their classrooms.

 

 

 

 

Investing in educators

 

STEAMonEdu aims to increase the adoption and impact of STEAM education by investing in the professional development of educators. It supports teachers either through blended training programmes or through their participation in a community of stakeholders that can exchange experiences and share best practices with one another. Among the project results include a training handbook for teachers, a guide of STEAM education practices and a competence framework for STEAM educators.

 

STE(A)M IT is Europe’s first integrated STEM framework promoting innovative and cross-disciplinary approaches to STEAM teaching. It provides training programmes, tools and guidelines for primary and secondary school teachers, along with a network of career advisors at EU level to help them promote jobs in STEM fields. It advocates for an interdisciplinary approach to teaching STEM disciplines in order to foster students’ interest in degrees and careers in these fields.

 

 

 


Towards a manifesto for gender-inclusive STE(A)M education and careers - Have your say by contributing to our survey before 18 November


Following the European Research and Innovation Days, the European Commission is calling for stakeholders’ contributions to a survey on a manifesto for gender-inclusive #STEAM education & careers. We count on the opinions and involvement of various STEM-oriented education, research and innovation actors for the content of this Manifesto. Read more here and take part in the survey latest by 18 November.

 

 

Additional information

  • Evidence:
    N/A
  • Funding source:
    European Union
  • Intervention level:
    N/A
  • Intervention intensity:
    N/A
  • Participating countries:
    Belgium
    France
    Germany
    Italy
  • Target audience:
    Head Teacher / Principal
    Student Teacher
    Teacher
    Teacher Educator
  • Target audience ISCED:
    Primary education (ISCED 1)
    Lower secondary education (ISCED 2)
    Upper secondary education (ISCED 3)

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