STEAM

What is STEAM?

To some people, the words ‘STEAM Education’ seem nothing more than a popular buzz-phrase. Without a proper understanding of its meaning, STEAM can even be thought of as a separate subject. But, at its core, STEAM is an approach to teaching and learning that can be used for any subject in the school curriculum.

The World Economic Forum (2019) predicts that the top skills for jobs in 2020 will be complex problem solving, critical thinking and creativity. These are general skills that can be transferred to many subject areas. This is why STEAM Education is so important: it equips students with the skills to thrive in the 21st century workforce.

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. The Arts includes the humanities - societal impact and ethics. As a Catholic school, this is especially important. Our Integrated Studies subject, where the STEAM approach is most commonly used, integrates Science with Religion - so it is easy to see how the humanities must come into play in all that we teach.

At St Anthony’s School, the STEAM approach is being used across the year levels. The students have been getting ‘hands on’ with different materials to solve problems. This is evident in project work being done recently with our Seniors, where they have explored electricity through creating real circuits and testing out their designs. Meanwhile, our Middle School has been constructing models out of recycled materials.

STEAM is not limited to the upper year levels. In Foundation, our students have been solving problems by constructing bridges and structures. The Juniors have been finding creative ways to make art works from different materials. In the STEAM approach, the teacher acts as a guide and facilitator - problems are set which have boundaries, but which also allow freedom within those parameters.

The STEAM approach continues to inspire the students at St Anthony’s.  It will be exciting to see where it leads into the future.

Coding Club Reminder

Coding Club Every Fortnight for 3/4 Students (Tuesday 1st half of lunchtime)

Serena Jordan-Munro

Foundation and STEAM