STEAM is a modern approach to knowledge, an interdisciplinary educational proposal that incorporates as its basic components Science(S), Technology(T), Engineering(E), Art(A) and Mathematics(M). The general idea of the modern concept of STEAM has its roots in pre-Socratic philosophical thought, where knowledge was not confined to fields, but it was a consequence of these sectors through their constant interaction. The STEAM program has the flexibility to adapt to the different cultural environments of each place, without straying from its main goal of acquiring essential knowledge. The aim of this program is for students to understand, within a research environment, how the real world works. Using a specially designed simple building system, they construct mechanical systems, architectural structures, electrical circuits and explore how they work. They discover laws governing mechanics, acoustics, and electricity, always starting from an intuitive understanding of natural phenomenon. Motion, force, balance, sound, waves, electrical circuits, levers, are some of the main topics they study. Then they discuss the topic of “energy”, as well as the different forms of energy. At the same time, they use Mathematics as a tool for formulating these laws, understanding thus the necessity of the existence of the world of mathematical concepts and the way in which the theoretical world of Physics is constituted.
They create their constructions, thus introducing their personal-subjective element. The students, through the successive steps required to complete their construction, experience the joy of creation (scientific and artistic), but also the necessity of the next step, which they should logically support. They work both individually and in teams, emphasizing on collectivity rather than competition.
In Arsakeia-Tositseia Schools, going STEAM one step further, a more substantial connection is given between Sciences and Humanities, thus proposing the dipole “man and technology” as the most complete concept for STEAM. Thus, STEAM becomes SHTEAM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics), integrating Literature, History, Language courses and Philosophy, to better meet the needs of today’s student and tomorrow’s citizen, who will have to manage and make important decisions on major global problems, such as climate change and rapid development and expansion in all areas of life of artificial intelligence.
However, at the centre of all these developments is human, who on the one hand creates the conditions for this civilization and on the other hand suffers its consequences. State-of-the-art mechanical constructions, incredible digital system designs, artificial intelligence and state-of-the-art robots compose the puzzle of the modern cultural scene. Within this, however, human relations are also formed. What form do they take? How does the exponentially growing science of technology act on them? How does technology interact with traditional humanist values? How do modern human societies view language, literature, theater, history, art history, philosophy? These are questions that are primarily important components of any modern model of education.
*Original article “Arsakeia-Tositseia Newsletters”
https://www.arsakeio.gr/gr/newsletters
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