STEAM

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, five closely connected disciplines. The core of STEAM learning is an ability to innovate, think creatively and solve problems, while working in collaboration with others. Nurturing STEAM skills is so important as they help children excel not only in school, but in their future careers.

According to the National Skills Commission, STEAM jobs are growing more than twice as fast as other occupations in Australia. In a 21st-century world, the ability to use technology, ask big questions and engage in scientific thinking is crucial for us all.

STEAM at Oakleigh Primary School

Oakleigh Primary School offers students one 50 minute session with a specialist STEAM teacher each week. In the STEAM specialist room, students engage in a variety of tasks that include both explicit teaching and skill building as well as open ended and creative activities. Scientific concepts, technology skills and engineering principles are explicitly taught. Students apply these skills to a range of activities and problem-solving tasks individually and in small groups. Mathematics and the Arts are incorporated throughout.

Often students are required to reach a predetermined objective in completing tasks and opportunities for demonstrating creativity and initiative are regularly provided. During Engineering tasks, we use the Engineering Design Process, which is a common series of steps that engineers use in creating functional products and processes. This process begins by defining a problem and completing background research on it. Possible solutions are imagined, planned and created before being tested and improved.

Additional opportunities for students who show passion and talent in the Sciences are offered. Oakleigh Primary School has been participating in the Science Talent Search for several years with wonderful results. Rubik’s Club is also held for a term each year, culminating in an open-age Rubik’s Cube competition.  

Learning Resources

Our STEAM space offers a flexible and innovative learning environment. The tables can be easily cleared to open up the floor space, providing an optimal zone for construction and experimentation with a variety of technologies. Students have access to a broad range of high quality open-ended Engineering materials such as Connetix tiles, Tubelox, Makedo kits, Lego Education kits and Wooden materials. They also benefit from access to a wide range of technologies that support their critical problem-solving skills and teach the basics of Coding. These include Bee Bot robots, Sphero Bolts, Lego Robotics kits and Osmos. Students also enjoy learning about the Sciences using a variety of hands on materials used to complement topics such as Physics, Chemistry and Biology.