Promoting 21st-century skills through an inclusive STEAM approach to Cultural Heritage

<< Background >>We applied for the SciArt project to address the imbalance in STEAM education, where Arts are often treated as secondary to STEM. Research shows most STEAM initiatives prioritize STEM outcomes, using Art mainly as a tool for engagement rather than as a core learning domain. SciArt aimed to develop a more balanced and inclusive STEAM approach where both fields are equally valued. We focused on Cultural Heritage, as it naturally combines scientific methods (e.g., archaeometry) with cultural, historical, and aesthetic interpretation. This dual perspective allowed educators and students to explore how heritage shapes local and European identities. Through our work in schools, we had seen students' curiosity about the scientific study of artefacts, but found few resources to support this. SciArt addressed this gap by developing engaging, interdisciplinary activities. By integrating emerging technologies such as AR and supporting Universal Design for Learning, we also aimed to ensure accessibility and inclusion for all students.<< Objectives >>The main objective of the SciArt project was to develop an innovative and inclusive STEAM approach focused on Cultural Heritage. We aimed to give equal weight to Science and the Arts, promoting inquiry-based learning that connects scientific study with historical, aesthetic, and identity-related dimensions of heritage. To achieve this, we aimed to bring together expertise from different fields: academia, schools, museums and relevant experts and develop supporting key resources. A core goal was to empower teachers to implement the approach by linking science education with artefact analysis, exploring European identity, and using multimodal and AR technologies to support inclusion. To this end, we designed a series of interdisciplinary activities supported by museum-based resources, with the aim to enable students to explore heritage in hands-on, meaningful ways. The project also aimed to build capacity among partners through training and pilot implementations, and to disseminate the approach widely so that museums and schools could continue using it beyond the project’s duration.<< Implementation >>To achieve the project’s objectives, we first developed collaboratively the project’s key resources: the SciArt methodological guidelines, the SciArt e-book, a training course for educators to familiarise and prepare them to use the SciArt activities and approach, as well as a digital platform to host the course online. We also designed a series of interdisciplinary activities supported by museum-based resources, enabling educators and students to explore heritage in hands-on, meaningful ways. In addition, we organised and implemented a master training event in Greece to familiarise a number of trainers with the SciArt approach and its educational materials and support the project’s piloting process. Then, we organised training and pilot implementation activities in all project countries, where we trained around 100 teachers, and in turn, they applied the SciArt approach with their students in schools. Finally, we disseminated the project and the approach through various online and on-site activities, such as a social media campaign, participation in local and national events and presentations of the project, as well as organisation of a final promotional event in each project country.<< Results >>The main outputs of the project include:WP2 Developing the SciArt Approach:-Methodological Guidelines to guide project implementation-SciArt e-book (EN, GR, PT) presenting the theoretical frameworkWP3 SciArt Educational Resources:-STEAM inquiry-based activities on artefact analysis and identity-Educational resources: videos, reports, AR tools (ALI)-Blended-format teacher training course (25 hrs, 6 modules)-SciArt educational platform to host the courseWP4 SciArt Educational activities:-Master Trainer event in Greece with 29 participants-Pilot of the course with 97 teachers across 3 countries-Student produced multimodal/AR-enhanced outputs, shared onlineWP5 Dissemination & Sustainability:-Promotion & Dissemination Plan -Visual identity-Project website-Online social media campaign-3 Multiplier Events-Participation in local/national events to present project-4 case studies-1 academic publication-Sustainability Action PlanOther outputs include internal documents such as the Management and Financial Plan, Quality Evaluation Plan and Reports.