Journal of East China Normal University(Educationa ›› 2017, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (4): 54-61+135+136.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2017.04.006

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An Analysis of STEAM Project Based Learning: A Perspective of Key Competencies

CUI Hong1,3, ZHU Jiahua2, ZHANG Xiuhong1,4   

  1. 1. School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China;
    2. School of Teacher Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China;
    3. Central China Normal University Branch, Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment toward Basic Education Quality at Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;
    4. People's Education Press, Beijing 100081, China
  • Online:2017-08-20 Published:2017-07-07

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Abstract: STEAM is an educational mode which engages students in learning through active participation, project design and problem solving. Quite similar to project based learning, STEAM is interdisciplinary and situational. Therefore, STEAM project based learning is based on specific outcomes and fuzzy tasks, which is an inquiry process involving interdisciplinary learning. In this paper, the authors argue that STEAM project based learning helps to enhance the cultivation of humanities, sense of responsibility and rational thinking, stimulate active learning, and improve individual consciousness and problem solving skills. What's more, it is consistent with the philosophy of the development of student's key competencies. From the perspective of key competencies, the authors also discuss the state quo and challenges in STEAM regarding how to assess the science courses in basic education, how to connect informal and formal education, and how to combine maker education with other cutting edge ideas.

Key words: STEAM, project based learning, key competencies, science education