Birmingham City University’s STEAM INC Erasmus Project is leading European research on implementing STEAM in Higher Education

In an increasingly complex interconnected world, STEAM practices have gained attention in Higher Education (HE). This helps students acquire interdisciplinary skills for the jobs market, increase intellectual curiosity and collaboratively develop creative solutions to complex global challenges.

The Erasmus+ project STEAM Innovation and Curriculum (STEAM INC) led by BCU involves seven European partners who have been pioneering STEAM approaches and methods. Using workshops, discussions, hacking processes and reflective practice, this collaborative work is the first comprehensive attempt to systematically analyse and showcase European approaches to STEAM in HE. Project outputs relate to the three project phases and include a Handbook on STEAM approaches (Phase 1), the development of new STEAM methods(Phase 2) and developing evaluation frameworks (Phase 3). The Handbook collects and codifies HE 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.

The BCU academic team (Claudia Carter and Kathryn Burns) who have been leading this research have recently presented at Oulu University’s Mini-Conference on Transdisciplinary Research and Design their paper was entitled “Transdisciplinary research and design through STEAM”.

Leading on from this, a panel session has been accepted to present the project at the ISEA2022 conference.  The ISEA, International Symposium on Electronic Art, is one of the most important annual events worldwide dedicated to the crossroads where art, design, science, technology, and society meet. The International Program Committee reviewed more than 1000 proposals, and STEAM INC’s contribution was one of the chosen few who will contribute to the conference in person in Barcelona this summer.

More information on the project can be found on the website www.steaminnovation.org

A recent article by project partners published in the European journal of STEM education on ‘Defining STEAM Approaches for Higher Education’.