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When it comes to teaching and education, particularly in the domains of STEAM, teachers and educators hold an invaluable position because they have the power and ability to equip students with skills that go beyond traditional textbooks.

Collaboration, communication, creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking – these are some of the skills that our students will need to tackle real-world challenges (Bertrand & Namukasa, 2020). So their teachers and educators play a crucial role in cultivating these skills by creating vibrant learning environments where these can be nurtured!

Another important topic to consider is breaking down stereotypes and barriers, especially for girls. Despite some progress, there's still a gender gap in STEAM education. But with a little encouragement and support from teachers and educators, we can change that narrative. Early exposure to STEAM subjects and inclusive opportunities can ignite passion and confidence in girls, opening a window for a more diverse and innovative future workforce (UNICEF, 2020).

And in today's digital age, it’s never been easier to have access to STEAM resources and ideas to implement in class and create interactive environments where students’ curiosity will make them more engaged and participative in class! Whether it's by engaging in interactive games to explore mathematical concepts, conducting virtual science experiments, or exploring the world of coding and robotics activities, nowadays there are many online platforms that offer free resources to enrich STEAM education. Here’s some examples:

• STEM Learning is dedicated to supporting educators in delivering high-quality STEM education to primary students. They collaborate with the UK Government and educational institutions to ensure that teachers have access to a wealth of activities addressing different STEAM subjects and making lesson planning simple for primary teachers. The resources available in their platform can be downloaded as an activity sheet and contain guidelines on how to bring the activity to life in the classroom, along with clear learning objectives and outcomes. From exploring animals and evolution to diving into rocks and electricity, there's anything for the taste of any emerging student scientist!

• NASA STEM Engagement is an initiative by NASA to connect educators, students, parents, and caregivers with the captivating world of space exploration and STEM. This platform offers a diverse range of experiences and activities tailored for students from Primary (K4) to Secondary (K12) education, empowering educators to integrate STEAM resources effortlessly. In addition, there are activities tailored for different learning settings - whether in school or afterschool -  such as in-field investigations to engaging games, each equipped with comprehensive guidelines and tips for a successful implementation to spark curiosity and facilitate meaningful exploration of the topic chosen!

• Khan Academy is another key platform when it comes to STEAM education. It hosts a wide array of materials designed to enrich STEAM education and make learning fun and accessible for students everywhere! The resources available in Khan Academy cover all school subjects, including STEAM and even Life Skills! And although they are experts in the creation of short, engaging multimedia resources that bring complex topics to life, they also offer interactive lesson plans, hands-on activities and professional development tools tailored specifically for educators. These materials come in all shapes and forms, from engaging experiments to captivating videos and interactive simulations, and address various learning preferences and levels of expertise. Additionally, it provides access to teaching guides, assessment strategies, and best practices for integrating STEAM concepts into the curriculum effectively. That all the ingredients needed to create dynamic and immersive learning experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and innovation among primary students!

So, whether it's by immersing into coding or by exploring the wonders of science through virtual labs, online platforms offer endless possibilities! On top of that, they make learning STEAM fun while also keeping teachers and educators up-to-date on the latest trends and teaching methodologies in the education world.

By exposing these types of interactive, fun resources and activities to students, educators are not just teaching – they're inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.

In other words, teachers are like superheroes in STEAM education. They're shaping the future, one lesson at a time, and making a real difference in the lives of our students and our world!

References:

Bertrand, M.G. & Namukasa, I.K. (2020), STEAM education: student learning and transferable skills, Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 43-56.

https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIT-01-2020-0003 

UNICEF (2020). Towards an equal future: Reimagining girls’ education through STEM. ISBN: 978-92-806-5178-2. NewYork, 2020.  Available at:

https://www.unicef.org/media/84046/file/Reimagining-girls-education-through-stem-2020.pdf

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