IN-STEAM, Making science education more inclusive and engaging

‘An INnovative pedagogical method for an INclusive STEAM education’ (IN-STEAM) aims to contribute to democratize school education by enhancing its characteristics of equity, quality and inclusiveness, through the integration of an inclusive STEAM education model in school curricula and the empowerment of educators and school leaders.

A central objective within IN-STEAM is to reorient and rebuild current STEAM educational practices by integrating social inclusion as a cross-cutting issue.

The project advocates for the development of a different model of science education, which is equally accessible to all learners. The project considers education as a social commitment in which curricular approaches should connect the cognitive domain with the so-called soft skills – problem solving, innovation and creativity – as well as incorporating the development of social and emotional learning and learning about oneself.

Objectives

IN-STEAM specific objectives are:

1. Make STEAM education inclusive and accessible to all by:
   • -design an innovative and inclusive pedagogical method, “Experimental Logical Processing-ELP”, based on the inclusive “warm cognition” concept
   • -design ready-to-use, accessible and attractive experimental activities – “STEAM in-a-box”
   • -exploit the potential of generative Artificial Intelligence, to design and implement inclusive and effective experimental STEAM activities
2. Empower educators through a capacity building action:
   • -a training course for educators of the school sector will be implemented and delivered focused on the ELP method, its applications for inclusion and the exploitation of Artificial Intelligence in teaching STEAM
3. Support the transformation of school education through raising awareness of school leaders and policy-makers on the importance of the integration of inclusive practices for STEAM:
   • -practical guidelines, Policy Paper and Recommendations will be defined and widely disseminated, promoting also the concept of Open School

All the project objectives, results and action are focused on the promotion of inclusion and valorization of diversity. In addition, the global approach of the project which aims at intervening in various key aspects (provide competences, skills and tools, build capacity and raising awareness) will support educators in building a truly inclusive classroom where pupils can learn in a serene environment, thus contributing to the well-being and mental health of educators and learners.

‘An INnovative pedagogical method for an INclusive STEAM education’ (IN-STEAM) is funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, with Grant Agreement number 2024-1-IT02-KA220-SCH-000257719. Erasmus + funding is essential to be able to reach the project objectives, that capitalizes on cutting-edge practices, and contribute to a real change in school education at EU level.