Pre-conference Workshop by Keynote Speaker Gillian Roehrig [Ticketed]

Characteristics of High Quality Integrated STEM Curriculum

In this workshop, participants will learn about the characteristics of quality integrated STEM curriculum through the K-12 Integrated STEM Framework (Roehrig et al., 2021). This framework builds upon the extant integrated STEM literature to describe seven central characteristics of integrated STEM: (a) centrality of engineering design, (b) driven by authentic problems, (c) context integration, (d) content integration, (e) STEM practices, (f) twenty-first century skills, and (g) informing students about STEM careers. The integrated STEM framework is intended to provide more specific guidance to educators about the curriculum development and implementation. The framework will be illustrated by engaging participants in an exemplar integrated STEM curriculum. Participants will engage in some of the hands-on activities and reflect on the activities using the Integrated STEM Framework.

Pre-conference Workshop by Keynote Speaker Lyn D. English [Ticketed]

Exploring and Developing STEM-based Problems that Challenge Students’ Thinking

This International STEM Education workshop will comprise four components as follows:

1. a brief review of traditional problem solving where problems tend to be closed, have only one correct answer, and require the application of previously taught procedures. These problems tend not to promote different ways of thinking or encourage development of new concepts.
2. a brief consideration of why traditional problem solving is inadequate for today’s rapidly changing world.
3. an overview of different ways of thinking, to be addressed more fully in the plenary.
4. exploration of interactive STEM-based problems that encourage both disciplinary knowledge growth and application, and different ways of thinking. It is envisaged that participants will engage in working a sample of such problems, together with designing their own examples. Included in this component will be shared ideas on assessing students’ responses.

If possible, it would be helpful if participants could bring samples of problems implemented in their classrooms/school systems. These could be explored during the workshop and adapted to encourage more challenging problem solving and thinking skills.

Pre-conference Workshop by Keynote Speaker Jinwoong Song [Ticketed]

Developing informal STEAM programmes for scientific engagement and practice: Lessons from the 'Doing Science, the Gangnam Style' project

In many countries, including Korea, STE(A)M education activities are still limited to the school education environment. As modern society changes into a life-long learning society, the scene of STE(A)M education also needs to take place in the context of non-formal education settings. In particular, in a future society where 'scientific participation and practice' is emphasized more and more, a key question becomes what kind of STEM learning experience not only for students but also for citizens need. In this workshop, how to develop an informal STEAM education program for 'scientific participation and practice' is going to be discussed, based on the experience of operating 'Doing Science, the Gangnam Style' Project, a university-community collaborative STEAM education program for elementary and middle school students and the general public that has been running since 2022. We plan to share our experiences of and lessons from the problems encountered when developing and operating. Participants will have the opportunity to explore appropriate topics and methods of STEM education programs that start from the context of their own local community and connect to global STEM issues.

Pre-conference Workshop by Stick'Em, Singapore [Ticketed]

Hands-on Workshop with STEAM Kit

At Stick ‘Em, our mission is to make quality STEAM education accessible to ALL. Besides an affordable STEAM Kit to build things with, our online platform provides children with super fun activities and challenges. Put together, our STEAM ecosystem teaches them scientific concepts while developing their soft skills such as creativity, critical thinking, problem solving and more. With this kind of holistic approach, our aim is to guide their growth into becoming problem solvers for our future.

Stick ‘Em is currently active in 7 countries across SEA with thousands of students in partnership with various schools and organisations. We will expand globally with a consumer oriented product in 2025 to make a significant dent to the 1B over children who don’t have access to STEAM education right now.

During this 3 hour workshop, participants will have hands-on experience with block coding to program a robot to perform various tasks to solve authentic problems related to the theme of environmental sustainability. This curriculum that is designed for K-12 students will illuminate how problem/solution/user centric approaches can be seamlessly incorporated into the STEM curriculum anywhere.

Pre-conference Workshop by Timothy T. M. Tan and Yong Sim Ng [Ticketed]

Incorporating Physical Computing Devices and Simple Coding into STEM Learning Activities

Digital literacy is a core competency in the current global landscape driven by technological advances. STEM curricula with a focus on harnessing technological solutions for authentic problem-solving affords students opportunities to grow their digital competencies. Physical computing devices such as the BBC micro:bit and the MakeBlock HaloCode are pedagogically-oriented technological tools that teachers can include in integrated STEM lessons to imbue such skills and mindsets of change. In this workshop, the participants will have hands-on experience with these devices and their easy-to-learn visual coding interface. Examples of integrated STEM curriculum materials that involve these devices in authentic problem-solving will be shared. This workshop is suitable for participants with little to no knowledge of coding but have an interest in technology-infused STEM curriculum activities.