Science, art, and Three Little Pigs: is there anything common? The SciTeach Center says yes, through a new project for early childhood teachers in Luxembourg that focuses on STEAM, an acronym that stands for interdisciplinary teaching/learning of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

STEAM brings the arts into STEM to support the development of critical and creative thinking, encourage the use of imagination for problem-solving, facilitate self-expression, and make other disciplines more accessible for learners. Although STEAM is a fairly recent development in educational sciences, researchers and educators agree that STEAM pedagogical approaches can provide an optimal educational environment that supports the development of necessary XXI-century skills.

STEAM approaches fit very well with early childhood education, in that the holistic focus aligns with young children’s inquisitive, complex and embodied ways of meaning making.  Children are born curious, each day they actively engage in inquiring and making sense of the world. Why do worms have no legs? Can we climb the rainbow? Where do hedgehogs sleep? Children ask questions, think, discuss, and investigate. STEAM supports children in their investigations and explorations, while fostering their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Early childhood STEAM education is important and helpful, but the question is how can a teacher practice it? The SciTeach Center’s goal is to support teachers in promoting STEAM by offering formation continue / professional development workshops that are not only designed for teachers, but also co-planned and co-taught with teachers.