Helping European higher education institutions to implement STEAM
A Birmingham City University project has been leading European research on implementing STEAM in higher education in order to help students to acquire important interdisciplinary skills.
Analysing European approaches to STEAM in higher education
BCU’s STEAM Innovation and Curriculum (STEAM Inc) project, funded by Erasmus+, is the first comprehensive attempt to analyse and showcase European approaches to STEAM in higher education.
While a number of approaches to multi, trans and interdisciplinary learning currently exist, to date no comprehensive scheme has been developed to identify the specific effectiveness of higher education STEAM approaches.
The STEAM Inc project seeks to address this, and the rising importance of STEAM in higher education, through three objectives:
- Identify points of intersection across current European HE STEAM approaches and develop a collaborative definition of HE STEAM
- Produce methodologies for the implementation of STEAM thinking in HE education, policy and engagement
- Create an evaluation framework for measuring the effectiveness of STEAM processes in HEIs and HE partner organisations
The research is led by Kathryn Burns - researcher from the Birmingham Institute of Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles - and Claudia Carter, Reader in Environmental Governance in the School of Engineering and Built Environment.
STEAM Inc includes seven European partners who have been pioneering STEAM approaches and methods:
- Aalto University
- University of Amsterdam
- Ars Electronica
- Trinity College Dublin
- TU Dresden
- Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London
The project has used workshops, discussions, hacking processes and reflective practice in order to clarify key principles of STEAM working.
So far, the project has produced a handbook on STEAM approaches, developed new STEAM methods and is currently developing an evaluation framework.
The handbook collects and codifies higher education STEAM approaches and provides a working definition, highlighting key elements of STEAM projects and processes, as well as guidance and inspiration for those looking to develop and introduce STEAM approaches in their institution.
Delivering important work at international events
The BCU team recently presented at a conference on transdisciplinary research and design at the University of Oulu in Finland, discussing STEAM and inter-/trans-disciplinary practice.
An article on defining STEAM approaches for higher education was also recently featured in a recent European journal.
A panel from the project will also present at the International Symposium on Electronic Art - one of the most important annual events for art, design, science, technology and society - in Barcelona this summer.
“In an increasingly complex, interconnected world, STEAM practices have gained attention in higher education as they help students to acquire interdisciplinary skills for the jobs market, increase intellectual curiosity and collaboratively develop creative solutions to complex global challenges,” explains Claudia.
“Working with like-minded colleagues from across Europe has been a valuable and rewarding experience,” says Kathryn.
“Undoubtedly, our work informs the STEAM agenda both within the University as well as in Europe and beyond.”
More information can be found via the STEAM Inc. website.