Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, And Mathematics Education Research Articles

Using the family resemblance approach to inform STEAM education

In this article, we use the family resemblance approach as a framework to contribute to the debate about the similarities and differences between the constituent disciplines of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and to explore the implications for education. The family resemblance approach has been used in science education in various ways, for instance, in teacher education and undergraduate teaching and as an analytical tool for examining science curricula and assessments. The relevant sense of application of the family resemblance approach for our purposes in this article is that it is a framework that has the potential to differentiate the disciplines underpinning STEAM. We explore the utility of the family resemblance approach for clarifying what is meant by the nature of STEAM and, subsequently, we elaborate on some practical examples drawn from a project conducted in Hong Kong with Year 7 (12–13-year-old) students to illustrate how the use of the family resemblance approach can help articulate a contrast of nature of science and the arts in school activities.

ENHANCING STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN STEAM THROUGH GAMIFICATION: A SWOT ANALYSIS

Teungku Chik Pante Kulu Secondary School examines how well gamification-based education strategies can be incorporated into STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education. The teacher uses Scratch to assess how gamified learning affects student performance and engagement in this particular educational setting using a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis approach. The study highlights the potential benefits of gamification in STEAM education, including increased student engagement, improved problem-solving abilities, and collaborative learning opportunities catered to the needs of Teungku Chik Pante Kulu students. It does, however, also recognize the difficulties, such as the necessity for teachers to have proper training and resources, as well as any potential issues with sustainability and long-term effects. Furthermore, by taking into account the particular cultural and contextual characteristics of Teungku Chik Pante Kulu Secondary School, the analysis identifies chances for utilizing gamification to satisfy particular learning goals and curriculum requirements. On the other hand, risks like technology limitations and the requirement for ongoing assistance and assessment systems are also covered concerning the educational setting. Through an examination of gamification in the unique context of Teungku Chik Pante Kulu Secondary School, this study provides insightful information for teachers and administrators looking to improve student engagement and performance in STEAM subjects through creative teaching strategies. With the ultimate goal of enabling educators to design engaging learning experiences, this study adds to the expanding corpus of research on successful teaching tactics catered to varied learning settings.

The Influence of STEAM Education on Students' Interest in Technology at Middle Schools in Indonesia

This research investigates the impact of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education on student interest and technology integration in Indonesian secondary schools through a quantitative analysis. A sample of 250 students was surveyed, and data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). The results reveal significant relationships between STEAM education, student interest, and technology integration. The measurement model demonstrates robust reliability and validity, while discriminant validity is supported. The structural model indicates that STEAM education positively influences both student interest and technology integration, with student interest mediating the relationship between STEAM education and technology. The study provides practical implications for educational practices, emphasizing the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration and effective teaching strategies to enhance student interest and foster technology integration in secondary education.

The impact of STEAM education using robotics on the executive function of typical and ADHD students along with developmental exploration

Educational Robotics (ER) is a novel learning approach renowned mostly for its effects on scientific academic disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). According to recent research, ER can also influence cognitive development by increasing critical reasoning and planning abilities. The purpose of this study was to quantify the potential of ER to empower Executive Functions (EF), including the ability to govern, update, and program information. Executive Function (EF) refers to a complex set of cognitive control processes required for adaptive daily functioning. EFs are more predictive of intellectual progress, health, wealth, and quality of life over the life span than IQ or socioeconomic position. Evidence suggests that EFs can be divided into three core capacities (working memory, inhibition, and shifting), which work together to support higher-order cognitive processing (e.g., planning, problem solving) required to stay on track, resist contrary impulses and distraction, and pursue more-positive (rather than most-immediate) outcomes. Given the importance of EFs, there is a growing interest in enhancing them. The current study sought also to validate the ER's efficacy on EF in children with ADHD.

Prioritizing STEAM Education from the Start: The Path to Inclusive and Sustainable STEAM Education

This study highlights the significance of prioritizing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education from the early stages of learning as a crucial step towards achieving inclusive and sustainable STEAM education. The study adopted a critical discourse analysis (CDA) and an allegory method entitled 'The Ancient Multi-Story Building'. The CDA involved studies, reports, and news on STEM-related and STEM initiatives in Ghana. The findings revealed a substantial gap in early childhood and primary education STEAM initiatives, largely due to prevailing misconceptions about these levels of education. The allegory of the 'Ancient Multi-Story Building' further explains the adverse impact of this gap by metaphorizing the flawed approach of initiating and investing in upper-level STEAM education while neglecting the lower-level years, much like a village constructing a multi-story building focusing on the higher floors without solidifying its base; obviously, the results will be disastrous. Similarly, the findings show that previous STEM-related initiatives in Ghana focusing on upper-level education have often been inclusively ineffective. The allegory further points out that the few students who thrive in these lopsided STEM-related pathways are typically those from affluent backgrounds with the necessary support. The study indicated that starting STEAM education in the early years of education has the potential to promote gender equity, cultivate critical thinking skills, and develop a positive attitude towards STEAM subjects among all young learners. This study, therefore, lays the groundwork to propose a strategic framework for early childhood and primary STEAM education in Ghana and other similar contexts.

Evolving Minds: A Literature-Driven and Empirical Exploration of STEAM Skill Development and Learning Approaches

This article delves into the evolving landscape of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, a dynamic pedagogical paradigm that amalgamates “Arts” into the realms of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Focusing on the critical dimensions of skill development and learning approach, this study undertook a systematic literature review spanning 2018 to 2022. The examination of contemporary literature sheds light on students' evolving attitudes and perceptions toward integrating Arts within STEM subjects. To augment this exploration, an empirical survey was conducted, gathering insights from students from diverse European countries and spanning various levels of pedagogy. This combined study unveils intricate correlations between specific forms of Arts and the skill sets essential for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, it delves into the learning approaches that resonate with students as they navigate the complexities of this transformative pedagogy. As education evolves, this article encourages readers to delve into how students view STEAM education. It provides insights into how STEAM education can help shape versatile innovators and entrepreneurs ready to tackle future challenges.

Fostering Creative Thinking in Early Learners through STEAM-Based Ecoprint Projects

This research investigates the impact of integrating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) project-based learning (PjBL) with Ecoprint activities on developing creative thinking skills in early childhood. A mixed-methods concurrent embedded design was adopted, focusing on preschool children aged 4-6 years from two educational institutions in Karangsari Village, Cirebon District. The study engaged 30 participants in Ecoprint activities, utilizing natural materials to create prints on paper and fabric. These activities were framed within the STEAM PjBL methodology, encompassing stages of Reflection, Research, Discovery, Application, and Communication to facilitate a comprehensive earning experience. Qualitative data, collected through interviews with educators and observations of the Ecoprint projects, were complemented by quantitative assessments of the children's development of creative thinking skills. This dual approach allowed for a rich, multifaceted analysis of the learning processes and outcomes. The creative thinking abilities of the participants were evaluated using a standardized rating scale aligned with criteria set forth by the Ministry of Education and Culture, tracking progress from initial baselines to post-intervention stages. The findings indicate a notable enhancement in creative thinking among the children, with a significant majority advancing from lower levels of creative dev. Children can select and sort the base color materials from the collected leaves. At this stage, the potential of STEAM PjBL, combined with hands-on, environmentally focused artistic activities like Ecoprint, is to enrich early childhood education by fostering creative, innovative thinking. The study's implications extend to curriculum development, advocating for including interdisciplinary, experiential learning strategies that blend scientific inquiry with artistic creativity. However, the research is limited by its scope and its participants' demographic and geographic characteristics. Future studies are recommended to explore the scalability of this approach and its long-term impacts across diverse educational settings, potentially offering valuable insights into the role of integrated STEAM education in nurturing holistic cognitive development in young learners.

Augmenting the Impact of STEAM Education by Developing a Competence Framework for STEAM Educators for Effective Teaching and Learning

STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education is gaining increasing attention worldwide, with many initiatives being implemented to promote its adoption and effectiveness; thus, its successful integration into educational systems has become increasingly critical. Educators will play a central role in this integration; that is why it is critical to assess their needs, map the necessary roles and competences, and provide the means to guide their professional development in a systematic way. To address these requirements, our study introduces the STEAM Competence Framework for Educators (STEAMComp Edu), as a culmination of literature reviews, expert consultations, and empirical validation by 302 educational professionals, policymakers, and scholars. The framework includes 41 vital competences, organized across 14 competence areas, from five broad educators’ perspectives. STEAMComp Edu captures STEAM educators’ roles, from teaching methods to community engagement, and stands as a pivotal tool in enhancing STEAM education quality and effectiveness. This paper also highlights STEAMComp Edu’s significance in the professional development of educators and focuses on the framework’s value in developing self-assessment tools and in designing STEAM educator occupational profiles that are aligned with the ESCO (European Skills, Competences, Qualifications, and Occupations) standards, thereby contributing to a more structured and recognized approach in the field of STEAM education.

STEAM and English For Specific Purposes: Online Courses For Brazilian Students In Technology

Nowadays, we have an increase in informal online courses in Brazil with a variety of subjects, according to the student’s needs and interests. These informal courses could complement the knowledge learned in schools and universities, associating formal and informal learning, as defended by the Education 4.0 model. Additional languages, especially the English language, represent a great part of these courses as our society now understands the importance of English in a digital and technological world. English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is an area of English teaching-learning that takes into consideration the student’s needs in the curriculum design, focusing on a context where learners will use the language in real life. This area is also interdisciplinary because it connects linguistic structures with professional fields. For this reason, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education could be an interesting approach in ESP courses by providing an integrative method. Thus, this paper aims to analyze three informal online English courses designed for Brazilian students/professionals in Technology, considering the ESP and STEAM approaches, and compare them with university learners’ needs. After the analysis, we understand in this paper that informal English courses, particularly ESP ones, should be designed by an interdisciplinary group of professionals, such as language teachers and specialists in the area, in order to show a meaningful learning experience. Besides, it is important to go beyond a list of vocabulary, integrating the four language skills and working with genres connected to the student’s own area of study.

Fostering Holistic Development: Exploring the Integration of Positive Psychology, Constructivist Teaching, and STEAM Education in Hong Kong Secondary Schools

The proposed teaching approach strongly emphasizes students, promotes problem-solving skills, and encourages a positive outlook. The framework incorporates essential techniques such as scaffolding, securing, and flexible cognition, which Magoon has shown to support student learning and development. By adopting this constructive teaching approach, this study aims to cultivate critical thinking skills, resilience, and a sense of empowerment among students. This aligns with the principles of positive psychology and emphasizes the holistic development of students well-being. This research also explores integrating positive education with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education. Combining two powerful educational approaches anticipates enhanced learning outcomes and increased student engagement. Students can foster creativity, innovation, and collaboration by applying their knowledge and skills in real-world contexts. The study highlights the Creating a Better World course offered in Hong Kong secondary schools as an exemplary model. Through this course, students gradually develop STEAM projects while incorporating positive education principles and cultivating a growth mindset. The results demonstrate that integrating positive education and constructivist instruction can upgrade students autonomous learning and critical thinking skills by providing a motivating and imaginative learning environment. As this integration is applied, teachers are encouraged to explore and innovate continuously to adjust to the necessities of various disciplines and students.

STEAM education with young learners: five different design processes

ABSTRACT The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) approach has a variety of benefits for all children as it triggers multiple senses through hands-on activities, experiential learning, exploration opportunities on different scientific topics, and various tools and materials. Five STEAM activities were designed and implemented with fifteen 60–72-month-old children over a five-week period. Each activity required children to make their own designs to create their product, and was prepared to emphasize a particular feature of STEAM education. Instrumental case study was utilized in this study. It was observed that children engage more and spend more time, demand additional materials and use their imagination to design more creative and various products in STEAM activities.

The Application of STEAM Education in CLIL--A Case Study of Halloween Jack-O'-Lantern

In recent years, there has been a promotion and emphasis on CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education. The integration of interdisciplinary concepts and applications in English classrooms has brought new value and significance to English teaching. This study aims to investigate the students’ perceptions by STEAM-Integrated CLIL instruction into English Classroom, a Halloween Jack-O-Lantern as an example. The participations were eight freshman students from different department in a university in central of Taiwan. Through a survey, the research aims to analyze different aspects of STEAM and assess the effectiveness of English learning outcomes. The results indicated that the students were satisfied with the application of STEAM education in CLIL instruction in English classroom.

Ethical enactivism for smart and inclusive STEAM learning design

Current global challenges of the 21st century promote STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education and digitalization as a means for humans to be the central actors in the construction of a sustainable society that favors a sense of worth and global wellbeing. In this scenario, new educational technology tools and immersive learning affordances (possibilities), offer unprecedented potential for the design of smart and dynamic learning systems and contexts that can enhance learning processes across varied audiences and educational settings. However, current STEAM education practice lacks attention to equipping all citizens with the necessary skills to use digital technologies in an ethical, critical and creative way. This gap calls for attention in design processes, principles and practices that are attentive to ethical considerations and values-based approaches. On the other hand, in its formulation STEAM as an educational approach is framed in four fundamental pillars: creativity, inclusion, citizenship and emerging technologies, which also put attention on the inclusion of disadvantaged and underrepresented social groups during STEAM education design. Following an apparent need to explore ethical and inclusive design in STEAM education, and inspired in the 4E cognition framework, ethical enactivism and embodied and ecosomaesthetics experience design, here we propose a theoretical framework grounded on systems thinking for the design of smart and dynamic STEAM learning systems and settings. The framework is aimed at STEAM educational psychologists, educational technologists, learning designers and educational practitioners who wish to address the global challenges of 21st century education by means of creative, innovative and inclusive education design.

Analysis of Al-generated Music Applications in Primary Schools under the STEAM Education System

As a refinement of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) is considered a more comprehensive and practical pedagogy. However, in China’s educational environment, without the combination of test-oriented content, such methodology is hard to apply and popularize. Therefore, how to integrate more STEAM elements into the classroom while still meeting the assessment objectives of the exams needs to be considered further. Besides, to meet the iterative requirement of STEAM design, integrating advanced technology elements, especially Al, is an unavoidable trend. With a focus on music in the arts section of STEAM, our research is mainly intended to discuss the validity and practicality of using AI to generate songs that can help both Chinese primary school teachers to make innovations in class content and students to memorize certain knowledge points. Drawing on findings in the previous literature on STEAM education concerning AI music, the impact of nursery rhymes, and related AI platforms, this study collects knowledge points that are appropriate for primary school students and produces AI-generated songs. Then we discuss how these songs can be integrated into the STEAM system. The study assumes that AI-generated knowledge memory songs are actionable and have a good potential for further development. These songs could have a significant positive impact on primary school students’ knowledge memory and also stimulate teachers’ interest in adapting more technology elements in their teaching to make teaching more creative.

Educational Technology in Teaching Community: Reviewing the Dimension of Integrating Ed-Tech Tools and Ideas in Classrooms

Particularly in light of the COVID-19 epidemic, technology is a catalyst for changing teaching and learning, not just a tool for providing information. This essay aims to examine the three ways that personalization, relevance, and skill development might affect the teaching profession. This research is a qualitative research and library research. The capacity of educators to adapt learning experiences to the needs, interests, and preferences of each student is referred to as personalization. By giving users access to data, material, and the cloud, technology may enable personalization and allow teachers to track student progress, differentiate their lessons, and give feedback. Technology can enable students to take control of their education and choose their own speed and direction. Relevance is the relationship between what students are learning and their personal objectives, ambitions, and aspirations. By establishing blended learning settings that include online and offline activities, real-world challenges, and realistic assignments, technology may increase relevance. Students may engage with classmates and professionals, access materials outside of the classroom, and apply what they have learned in many circumstances with the use of technology. The development of students' skills includes preparing them for the workforce and culture of the twenty-first century. By introducing kids to contemporary technology tools and abilities including coding, programming, physical computing, and computational thinking, technology may promote skill development. Through maker education and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education, technology can also encourage students to develop their problem-solving, critical thinking, collaborative, and creative skills.

Promoting pre-service teachers’ professionalism in steam education and education for sustainable development through mathematical modelling activities

To successfully solve the complex challenges facing us in the 21st century, people with expertise in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) fields and other fields are needed, especially for their interdisciplinary way of thinking and working. These competencies should be learned in school, which first implies teacher education to that effect. In this article, a detailed theoretical reflection on the connections or overlapping areas between STEAM education and the dimension of sustainability in a model-like way is presented. It is also argued that mathematical modelling can be a possible instrument for promoting pre-service teachers’ professionalism in STEAM education and education for sustainable development (ESD). Based on authors’ developed model of this theoretical framework, an ESD-modelling seminar was created for pre-service mathematics teachers in which they also worked on that ESD and STEAM-based modelling problems. In the written reflections on the seminar, which were used as the survey instrument within the conducted empirical study, the teachers presented their subjective views on the connection between modelling and ESD. Based on an evaluation of these written reports by type-forming qualitative content analysis, three teacher profiles for handling ESD within mathematical modelling were developed. These types of teachers illustrate a strong awareness of promoting STEAM and ESD through modelling activities in their upcoming teacher life.

Out-of-the-Box Learning: Digital Escape Rooms as a Metaphor for Breaking Down Barriers in STEM Education

The traditional lecture-based model of teaching and learning has led to the exploration of innovative approaches including digital escape rooms. Digital escape rooms offer an immersive and engaging experience that promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork, making them a unique opportunity to address the challenges of STEM education, which is often perceived as difficult, boring, and intimidating. In this study, the goal is to explore the application of digital escape rooms as an innovative practice in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education in Europe. More specifically, the study aims to evaluate the influence of digital escape rooms on student engagement and learning outcomes in mathematics education as well as to provide valuable insights into the efficacy of this approach as a means of teaching mathematics and fostering active and experiential learning in STEAM education. In order to investigate the potential of digital escape rooms as a metaphor for breaking down barriers and escaping from the ”box” in STEM education, this paper proposes a conceptual framework for understanding the pedagogical value of digital escape rooms in STEM education. It outlines the design process, including learning paths and scenarios, storyline, puzzles, challenges, and feedback mechanisms, and presents a concept of escape room design patterns. An example case study of a digital escape room designed to teach mathematics to university students is also presented, providing insights into the effectiveness of this approach. By using digital escape rooms as a metaphor for breaking down barriers in STEM education, a more inclusive, engaging, and impactful learning environment can be created to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

STEAM Education and the Innovative Pedagogies in the Intelligence Era

As we delve into the era of intelligence, the importance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education has become increasingly evident [...]

Toward a Praxis-Oriented Understanding of Student Self-Assessment in STEAM Education: How Exemplary Educators Leverage Self-Assessment

ABSTRACT While researchers have begun to develop theories of assessment to support integrated learning within Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education, the role of student self-assessment (SSA) – a core aspect of classroom assessment – has been understudied. The purpose of this research was to develop an initial praxis-oriented understanding of how exemplary STEAM educators provoke SSA in integrated learning. Through an in-depth qualitative methodology drawing on interview and artefact data from 14 purposefully selected exemplary STEAM teachers, this study identified seven types of SSA activities: (a) self-documentation of learning; (b) reflection; (c) making metacognitive processes explicit; (d) prototype testing and revision; (e) goal setting; (f) self-testing; and (g) interactional SSA. Superimposed on the engineering design process, a process commonly leveraged to integrate disciplines in STEAM education, results provide a nuanced understanding of how exemplary STEAM educators leverage SSA, advancing assessment theory and practice in integrated education.

The prevalence and use of emerging technologies in STEAM education: A systematic review of the literature

AbstractBackgroundThe advent of new and emerging technologies and industries has highlighted the need to equip youth with a unique skillset necessary to cope with a rapidly changing and complex digital era and adapt to modern societies' demands. This need has led to the development of teaching approaches to equip students with creative and innovative skills to help prevent any future skills gap. This shift has fuelled the growth of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Education worldwide.ObjectivesOur goal was to engage in a systematic review of the literature to identify the application and prevalence of emerging technologies within the landscape of STEAM Education.MethodsWe engaged in a systematic review of the literature. Following the application of exclusion criteria to 461 studies, 43 studies were extracted and analysed.Findings and ConclusionsAnalysis of these studies provides evidence of the fast‐growing use of innovative emerging technologies within the STEAM landscape across all levels of education, from early childhood to college‐level settings. Our analysis reveals an emphasis on developing STEAM‐related disciplinary knowledge and the desire to develop students' 21st‐century skills with a notable lack of targeted emphasis on developing understandings in the arts disciplines. We identify the need for carefully designed intervention studies involving collaboration between multidisciplinary STEAM experts that use high‐quality measures which support the development of inferences relating to learning outcomes arising from such interventions.