Unveiling the Depth of STEAM: Riverstone’s Integrated Approach

The following article was written by Aaron McKinnon, Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator.

Most everyone has now heard of the acronym STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. And many people have heard of the next iteration of the acronym, STEAM, where the Arts are included in planning and developing learning experiences. STEAM represents a model of innovation and transdisciplinary learning, and many education systems and industry experts around the world are encouraging its promotion. At Riverstone, STEAM is a philosophy that is built into many transdisciplinary units.

Because there are a multitude of ways to plan scientific inquiry, our teachers provide a range of opportunities and situations for children to investigate and then guide them to make their investigations more in-depth. With a concept and skills-based focus, STEAM opportunities represent a way of thinking and a process that involves investigating, understanding, and connecting multiple perspectives and incorporating a wide variety of external resources and settings, as well as classroom-based work. 

Understanding STEAM: 

STEAM education integrates multiple disciplines to foster a more comprehensive, holistic, understanding of the world. Just like the transdisciplinary units of the Primary Years Program (PYP), both STEAM and the PYP empower children to think critically, problem-solve creatively, and innovate collaboratively—skills essential for success in the 21st century. STEAM is not simply about memorizing facts or mastering formulas; it's about cultivating a mindset of inquiry, exploration, and lifelong learning.

What STEAM Is:

1. Transdisciplinary: STEAM transcends traditional subject boundaries, encouraging the integration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to address real-world challenges.

2. Inquiry-Based: STEAM fosters curiosity and a spirit of inquiry, empowering students to ask questions, seek answers, and explore solutions through hands-on, experiential learning.

3. Creative: STEAM celebrates creativity as a catalyst for innovation, inviting students to express themselves artistically, think outside the box, and approach problems from multiple perspectives.

4. Collaborative: STEAM emphasizes collaboration and teamwork, recognizing that the most profound breakthroughs often arise from diverse perspectives and collective effort.

5. Application-Oriented: STEAM encourages the application of knowledge in real-world contexts, bridging the gap between theory and practice and instilling a sense of relevance and purpose in learning.

What STEAM Is Not:

1. Isolated Subjects: STEAM is not a collection of disparate subjects taught in isolation; rather, it promotes the integration of disciplines to create a more holistic learning experience.

2. Rote Memorization: STEAM eschews rote memorization in favor of active engagement and deep understanding, prioritizing conceptual mastery over mere regurgitation of facts.

3. One-Size-Fits-All: STEAM recognizes that every student is unique, with different interests, strengths, and learning styles. It embraces flexibility and personalized learning approaches to meet the diverse needs of learners.

4. Static: STEAM is not static but dynamic, evolving in response to advances in technology, changes in society, and emerging educational research. It embraces innovation and adaptation as essential components of growth and progress.

5. Exclusively Indoor: STEAM extends beyond the confines of the classroom, encompassing outdoor education experiences that foster environmental stewardship, exploration, and hands-on learning in natural settings.

The recent How the World Works Unit of Inquiry uses the exploration of science in fairy tales and exemplifies a fun and rich STEAM model. Preschool children listened to a wide selection of Fairy Tales and did experiments, art, design, math, etc. associated with each story. While getting to know the Humpty Dumpty story, children created A-B patterned walls for Humpty to sit on. They experimented with how helmets protect heads and eggs. With their parents at an evening function, families collaborated to design and engineer protection for an egg dropped off a ladder, umm, I mean wall! They displayed their troll art and bridge designs around the room and explored how pulleys helped Jack and Jill pull water up from the well.  

Like the Primary Years Programme (PYP), STEAM is more than an educational framework; it's a philosophy that embodies depth, creativity, and interconnectedness. By embracing the true essence of STEAM—transdisciplinary integration, inquiry-based exploration, creativity, collaboration, and real-world application—Riverstone empowers students to thrive in an ever-changing world, equipping children not only with knowledge and skills but also with the mindset and resilience to tackle tomorrow's challenges with confidence and ingenuity.