STEAMitUP Impact assessment study and practice recommendations

The STEAMitUP Impact Assessment Study and Practice Recommendation Report has been produced as a result of the implementation of a selection of teacher training workshops undertaken in all partner countries. The workshops involved twenty hours of blended learning activities utilising the educational resources developed by the STEAMitUP project. Each organisation engaged with a selection of primary and secondary school teachers with participants completing the workshops and providing detailed feedback on all aspects of the project resources and impact on key target audiences. The feedback was gathered via detailed assessment surveys undertaken at different phases of the workshops. As a result of the feedback, the consortium was able to make some additional practice recommendations to further support the implementation of STEAM-related initiatives in schools.

STEAMitUP Policy Recommendations Report

IO4 synthesizes the findings of the focus groups that took place in the 6 partner-countries. These are organized around the main five driving questions: a) project examples and relevant experiences; b) views of STEAM and its value; c) challenges related to STEAM approaches; d) required support for implementing STEAM approaches; and, e) policy recommendations. Overall, the findings across the 6 focus groups, despite the contextual particularities and cultural differences are consistent and can be summarized as follows.

In terms of challenges related to STEAM approaches, two stood out across the focus groups: a) the need for teachers’ professional development especially in developing the skills and knowledge needed to use contemporary technology applications (e.g., robotics, virtual reality); b) access to resources both in terms of curricular as well as technology equipment and tools. These challenges are intertwined with the desired support for implementing STEAM approaches, as across the focus groups the participants shared the need for access to readily available curricular materials as well as technology tools. In terms of policy recommendations four main themes emerged: a) promoting out-of-school STEAM practices and collaborations with school; b) budget availability for STEAM approaches to teaching; c) advocating for the value of an integrated and interdisciplinary approach; and, d) promoting partnerships between public education and the industry sectors.