Welcome to Course 1A: Foundations of STEAM Education, the essential starting point for educators who want to understand the philosophy, principles, and purpose behind the STEAM approach. This course will equip you with the conceptual foundation to understand why STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) is a transformative framework for 21st-century learning.
In Section 1, you will explore the origins and evolution of STEAM, how it differs from traditional STEM education, and why the integration of the arts is critical to preparing students for complex real-world challenges. These lessons will help you recognize STEAM not just as a teaching method, but as a mindset for innovation, equity, and lifelong learning.
Section 2 dives into the underlying principles and educational philosophy that shape STEAM practices. You’ll explore key concepts such as integration across disciplines, collaboration among learners, and creativity in problem-solving, along with foundational learning theories like constructivism and inquiry-based learning. You’ll also learn about the shifting role of the teacher—from knowledge provider to learning facilitator—empowering students to take ownership of their educational journey.
In Section 3, you will be introduced to each STEAM discipline individually—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics—and see how they connect through interdisciplinary learning. Practical examples and case scenarios will illustrate how these subjects can be meaningfully integrated to foster deep learning experiences.
By the end of this course, you will:
-
Understand the definition, history, and rationale of STEAM education
-
Distinguish between STEM and STEAM, and appreciate the value of the arts in learning
-
Identify and apply the core principles that guide STEAM pedagogy
-
Reflect on how your role as an educator changes in a STEAM-oriented classroom
-
Gain a foundational understanding of each STEAM discipline and how to begin designing interdisciplinary lessons
This course lays the groundwork for your journey into STEAM teaching, empowering you to move forward with clarity, purpose, and a vision for education that prepares students for the challenges and possibilities of the 21st century.
Features
- 📚 Structured Learning Path: Divided into three focused sections covering STEAM definitions, core philosophies, and real-world applications.
- 🧑🏫 Teacher-Centered Transformation: Guides educators to shift from instructors to facilitators and co-learners.
- 🎥 Multimedia Content: Engaging visuals, videos, and interactive content.
- 🧠 Reflective Activities: Critical thinking tasks and self-assessment opportunities.
- 🛠️ Real-Life Examples: Practical case studies of interdisciplinary STEAM education.
- 🏅 Certificate of Completion: Earn a downloadable certificate after completing all course components.
Target audiences
- Primary and secondary school teachers from all subject areas.
- University lecturers and teacher educators.
- Informal and non-formal educators (e.g., community learning facilitators).
- Curriculum developers, school leaders, and education policymakers.
- Pre-service teachers or education students looking to strengthen their teaching mindset.
Requirements
- Be an active educator, pre-service teacher, or education practitioner.
- Have a basic understanding of 21st-century learning principles.
- Be comfortable using digital devices and navigating online learning platforms.
- Be open to interdisciplinary and project-based learning approaches.
- (Optional) Familiarity with STEM or STEAM concepts is helpful but not required.
Curriculum
- 4 Sections
- 9 Lessons
- Lifetime
- Section 1 What is STEAM?In this section, you’ll explore the core concept of STEAM and how it has emerged as a transformative educational approach. We begin by unpacking the definition and historical roots of STEAM, tracing its evolution from STEM to a more holistic, inclusive model that integrates the arts. You'll examine the differences between STEM and STEAM, and why this distinction matters in fostering creativity and innovation. This section also explores the urgency and relevance of STEAM in the 21st century, particularly in preparing students to thrive in a future defined by complexity, uncertainty, and global challenges. By the end of this section, you’ll be able to clearly define STEAM, explain its purpose, and advocate for its implementation in diverse educational contexts.7
- 1.1Lesson 1.1: Definition and Origins of STEAM50 Minutes
- 1.2PPT Prototype
- 1.3QUIZ: Definition and Origins of STEAM10 Minutes5 Questions
- 1.4Lesson 1.2: Differences Between STEM and STEAM50 Minutes
- 1.5QUIZ: Differences Between STEM and STEAM10 Minutes5 Questions
- 1.6Lesson 1.3: Why STEAM Matters in the 21st Century50 Minutes
- 1.7QUIZ: Why STEAM Matters in the 21st Century10 Minutes5 Questions
- Section 2: Principles and Philosophy of STEAMWhat makes STEAM more than just a combination of subjects? In this section, we delve into the core principles and educational philosophy that drive STEAM learning. You will learn about the importance of integration, where disciplines are woven together rather than taught in silos; collaboration, both among students and between educators; and creativity, as the key to innovation and meaningful problem-solving. We’ll explore how STEAM is grounded in constructivist and inquiry-based learning theories, emphasizing student-driven exploration, curiosity, and real-world relevance. Additionally, you’ll reflect on your role as a teacher not just as an instructor, but as a facilitator who designs learning experiences that are open-ended, student-centered, and empowering. This section will help you align your teaching philosophy with STEAM principles and begin to shift toward a more interdisciplinary, reflective practice.6
- 2.1Lesson 2.1: Core Principles STEAM Education50 Minutes
- 2.2QUIZ; Core Principles10 Minutes5 Questions
- 2.3Lesson 2.2: Constructivism and Inquiry-Based Learning in STEAM50 Minutes
- 2.4QUIZ: Constructivism and Inquiry-Based Learning in STEAM10 Minutes5 Questions
- 2.5Lesson 2.3: The Role of the Teacher as Facilitator
- 2.6QUIZ: The Role of the Teacher as Facilitator10 Minutes5 Questions
- Section 3: Introduction to the STEAM DisciplinesIn this final section of the course, you’ll get an overview of each of the five STEAM disciplines Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics—and explore their unique contributions to integrated learning. Rather than studying each subject in isolation, you’ll examine how these disciplines connect and intersect in real-world projects, fostering both depth and breadth of understanding. You'll look at examples of interdisciplinary learning in practice, and consider how to design classroom experiences that encourage students to make meaningful connections across domains. This section lays the groundwork for future course modules where you’ll dive deeper into practical implementation strategies, but here, you’ll begin to recognize how a STEAM mindset can reshape the way we view subject boundaries and educational outcomes.4
- Summative Assesment1
FAQs
Instructor
Ence Surahman is an assistant professor in the Educational Technology Department, Faculty of Education, State University of Malang, Indonesia. He obtained bachelor's and master's degrees from Indonesia University of Education (UPI) and Yogyakarta State University (UNY) in 2013 and 2016, respectively. His research interests include STEM education, adaptive mobile learning, online collaborative learning, and online assessment. He obtained his PhD in Education and Learning Technology from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan in July 2023.
