3. What is STEAM?
• STEAM Education is an approach to learning that uses subjects like Science,
Maths, Arts, Engineering and Technology to help children develop their skills that will
help them take an active role in our increasingly scientific and technological society.
• STEAM is the bringing together of many different subjects that before were singled
out as separate areas. This helps to reinforce children to how subjects interconnect
like Maths and Science.
• STEAM is an acronym and the letters stand for:
• Science
• Technology
• Engineering,
• Arts
• Mathematics.
• (You may have heard of STEM which was the original acronym before Arts were added to
promote the creativity involved in the activities and job roles)
4. STEAM links to the Curriculum
• Activities and sessions that are planned
using the STEAM approach almost always
are fun, practical and educational.
• STEAM strongly links in with the primary
curriculum and many schools are
incorporating STEAM into their curriculums
through projects, cross curricular activities
and clubs.
• STEAM activities promote children’s critical
thinking and problem-solving skills.
• The STEAM approach reflects with the way
we work and problem solve in our daily lives.
• STEAM activities teaches skills the way they
will be used in the workforce, and the real
world. Rarely does a job require only one
skill set.
What can parents do to support STEAM?
• Reinforce cross curricular activities e.g.
using collage and arts to learn numbers.
• Provide resources and support and let them
explore.
• Encourage children to think of ways to plan,
implement and evaluate their creations.
• Always question their findings and ask why
and how?
• Find their interests and ambitions and find
activities that involve and relate to them.
• Watch and discuss educational programmes
and documentaries together.
• Make career connections and show them
where STEAM activities can lead them.
• Let them be in charge of their project!
