Steam Principles
STEAM is a reflection of what we know from brain research and current trends in the field of education.
Active Learning – Teaching is what the teacher does. Learning is what the student does! Key elements of active learning include student activity and engagement in the learning process. Students are not passive, but are “doing things” and are excited about learning. The more senses you activate the more likely the message will get to the brain.
Interdisciplinary – There is a WHOLE child who needs to learn in the WHOLE way. You can’t separate learning into little pieces, but you must connect reading and writing across the curriculum and challenge children to apply math, science, technology, and engineering skills in ways that are meaningful and integrated.
21st Century Skills – Cooperation, collaboration, communication, and creativity are the four “C’s” for skills children will need to be successful in the future. STEAM provides real life experiences for children to develop those skills.
Inquiry Hour – This trend is based on Google’s Genius Hour where employees have time to focus on personal projects and interests. Project based learning where children have choices, carry out learning activities, and then present results to classmates are compatible with goals of Inquiry Hour.
Intentional Teaching – This means acting purposefully with a goal in mind. Intentional teachers set up activities and the environment so that students can accomplish those goals.
Note! Many educators support incidental learning where children can explore and discover on their own. Intentional teaching is more focused and teacher-directed. It’s important to balance both in the classroom.
Playful and Challenging - It’s critical to provide children with opportunities to learn and develop cognitive skills, but it also needs to be fun. Play is a child’s work.
It is the PROCESS, not the PRODUCT, when children are engaged in STEAM activities!
We want children to THINK!
We want them to believe “I AM A SCIENTIST!” “I AM AN ARTIST!” “I AM A WRITER!” “I AM AN ENGINEER!” “I AM A MATHEMATICIAN!” “I AM A TECHNOLOGIST!”