About STEAM

Preparing today’s children to become the innovators and inventors of tomorrow begins with STEAM education programs.STEAM-based education teaches children more than science and mathematics concepts. The focus on hands-on learning with real-world applications helps develop a variety of skill sets - including creativity and 21st-century skills.

21st-century skills include media and technology literacy, productivity, social skills, communication, flexibility and initiative. Other skills attained through STEAM education include problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, decision-making, leadership, entrepreneurship, acceptance of failure and more.

Expectations of what it means to be competent in doing science, engineering and technology and understanding them has broadened and changed. In future it is important to be able to apply novel ideas in diverse contexts and draw connections among multiple representations. It is not enough just to know the pure facts but to apply them in practise.

Measuring the impact of STEM curriculum and education on early development has been shown to be a predictor of future academic achievement. Early experiences of science and other STEM subject improve child’s later learning outcomes, mathematical skills and vocabulary.

  • What?

    STEAM education combines science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Rather than teaching the five disciplines as separate subjects, STEAM integrates all these fields into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.

    STEAM education begins from childhood and it continues through life. STEAM ecucation’s foundations lie in inquiry, critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity which are enabled by hands-on experimenting, observing and making inquiries.

  • Why?

    Children are born with natural curiosity. Activities that involve experimentation, discovery, building or collecting things are great ways to teach younger children STEAM subjects.

    Educating children in STEAM prepares children for life, regardless of the profession they choose to follow. Those subjects teach children how to think critically and how to solve problems. The importance of STEAM education is intricately tied to society's technological and scientific advancements.

  • How?

    STEM School Finland has developed a theme-based curriculum and lesson materials for STEAM learning. During each lesson, children:

    • Ask questions and define problems

    • Develop and use models

    • Plan and carry out investigations

    • Analyse and interpret data

    • Use computational skills

    • Construct explanations and design solutions

    • Engage in argument from evidence

    • Obtain, evaluate and communicate information