Improving STEM learning experience in primary schools through a steam-based multidisciplinary approach

STEAM-H project aims at supporting teachers and educators (with a common European teachers training and supporting materials) in understanding the potential of STEAM approach and organising and implementing STEAM activities in primary schools.This is why the “STEAM-H” project will focus on the potential of the STEAM activities in designing inclusive processes and activities for primary school students (in particular disadvantaged students, students with low STEM performances or engagement) in order to link school STEM experiences to their lives through multidisciplinary activities based on art-making, robotics, home automation, electronics, ICT, high-tech, modelling, 3D printing and other innovative STEAM-based activities.The STEAM-H project will produce the following tangible results:- A competence map identifying the competences acquirable by students with STEAM activities categorised by activity and subject- a collection of Open Educational Resources for primary school teachers, educators and, in general, all people interested in implementing STEAM activities for inclusion purposes in primary schools.- a modularised training programme to promote primary school teachers’ and educators’ proficiency in implementing inclusive processes for primary students through STEAM multidisciplinary activities - A pedagogic handbook with practical information and activities to implement with students.The STEM skills gap in European EMEA countries compared to other regions across the globe is widening: in Asian, for example, countries STEM students can account for up to 20% of the student population, whereas in Europe, this percentage is only around 2% (European Schoolnet, Stem Education Overcoming challenges in Europe 2015).This gap is far from being bridged, considering the level of EU students’ engagement and results in STEM.The share of 15-year-old students failing to reach level 2 (‘basic skills level’) on the PISA scale for mathematics and science is really high reaching 17,2% in Germany, 22.2 % in Spain, 23,3% in Italy, 15% in Ireland (Eurostat 2015).The STEAM learning approach, in which the “A” stands for “art+” (art, design and humanities), offers a real opportunity to face these needs. It aims at engaging students in a multi- and interdisciplinary learning context breaking down barriers that have traditionally existed between different classes and subjects and offers learners opportunities to make new connections. Educators work together across disciplines to develop integrative projects and goals that give students perspective on how a wide variety of knowledge and skill sets tie into each other in the real world.The partnership includes 8 partners (Co.Meta srl, Fablab Munchen, Bylinedu, Istituto Scolastico Comprensivo “De magistris”, La Nostra Escola Comarcal, Grundschule Lehrer Wirth, Steam Education Ltd., Talen S.r.l. ) from 4 EU countries (Italy, Spain, Ireland and Germany).The STEAM-H project is seeking to generate particular impact for primary school teachers/educators (primary target group) and primary school students, potential disengaged students, disadvantaged students and students with low STEM performances (final beneficiaries) through the creation of original materials, activities and training modules to support the implementation of STEAM activities.