STEAM (or MINT) is becoming a focus in many schools. ISS have used this focus to support or students in strengthening their approaches to learning and innovative mindset. An approach has been created to systematically embed STEAM activities throughout the curriculum and outside of classes, and opportunities have been scaffolded for natural and spontaneous implementation of STEAM too.
In order to do this successfully many key issues needed to be addressed:
- A clear scope and sequence across the school.
- STEAM extra-curricular clubs, including robotics
- Regular off-time table STEAM days, including student choice
- Sharing STEAM/Tech ideas at staff meetings
- Visiting external STEAM experts
- Showing students inspirational examples of STEAM happening outside of school
- PYP: providing some meaningful, transdisciplinary time within the units of inquiry for students to have these opportunities
- MYP: providing meaningful interdisciplinary units between Design and other subjects
- Providing support for teachers to enable them to easily embed STEAM in their curriculum - taking the fear out of STEAM!
- Making sure that STEAM has meaningful impact, and we are not just ticking a box!
