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THE I-STEM CLASS ROOM
CREATIVE TECHNIQUES COMPLEMENTING TEACHING PRACTICE
WHAT IS “THE I-STEM CLASSROOM”?
This teaching aid was created as part of “Innovative and Inclusive Teaching Approaches in STEM Subjects in Post-Primary Schools” project (I-STEM). The I-STEM project is funded by ERASMUS+ 2020, and this is the culmination of 3 years of work between Universities, creative arts professionals, post primary schoolteachers and students. The teaching scenarios showcase how to use improvisation techniques for classroom collaboration and enquiry-based learning, as well as innovative and more effective assessment.
The handbook provides step-by-step guidelines on how to use improvisation techniques and drama techniques to support the learning of STEM subjects.The core aims are to promote:
- gender equality (LGBTQI+)
- collaboration
- inclusion
- civic competences (active citizenship)
- combat early school leaving
- boost skills and employability
- modernise education
The I-STEM teaching scenarios provide a set of methods aimed at teaching STEM subjects in post-primary schools. They include classroom activities that provide practical experiences for teachers and students. The scenarios will supply mechanisms for a more collaborative approach and active participation, building on students’ personal scaffolding for self-direct edobservation and critical thinking. Improvisation in the classroom remains themost potent element for teaching and learning contexts; in drawing from the cognitive, affective and psycho-motive learning channels it presents itself as a highly opportune area for cultivation in the individual and group.
THE I-STEM CLASSROOM PROVIDE A SE T OF METHODS
AIMED AT TEACHING STEM SUBJECTS IN POST – PRIMARY
SCHOOLS.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CREATIVE TECHNIQUES?
- Trust: increase in individual or collective trust.
- Acceptance: can lead to innovative solutions.
- Attentive listening: cultivation of co-operative
engagement. - Spontaneity: enhances co-creation in the
collaborative moment, - Storytelling: invention and expressive
communication, - Non-verbal communication: enhances
understanding - Valuable for interpersonal skills
- Warm-ups: develop the aforementioned trusting
and safe environments, within which the
students can feel free to explore the world of
STEM
1.It is consistent with the characteristics of current genre profiles of learners. This generation has grown up with technology, especially their desire to learn by inductive discovery, experiential experiences and collaborative teaching.
2.It taps into the learners’ multiple and emotional intelligence.
3.It fosters collaborative learning by helping to build trust, respect, and team spirit as well as listening, verbal and nonverbal communication, adlibbing, role-playing, risk-taking and storytelling skills.
4.It promotes deep learning through active engagement with new ideas,concepts or problems, linking the activities or tasks to prior learning, applying the content to real-life applications, and evaluating the logic and evidence.
FOR T EA C HE RS, THE I-ST EM PROJECT OFFERS A RANGE OF TEACHING TECHNIQUES, TOOLS AND TIPS ON HOW TO SUPPORT INCLUSIVE TEACHING IN STEM DISCIPLINES.
WHO HAS DEVEOPED THE I-STEM CLASSROOM?
The I-Stem Classroom is based on a professional collaboration between the following partners: Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (DIAK) in Helsinki (Finland), the Trinity Access Research Group at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), The Gaiety School of Acting, The National Theatre School of Ireland, Dublin (Ireland), Varsztatovnia, Warsaw (Poland), post-primary
school teachers and young people from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rush (Ireland), LXVII Liceum Ogolnoksztalcace im. Jana Nowaka-Jezioranskiego, Warsaw (Poland) and Piter Jelles Leeuwarder Lyceum, Leeuwarden (Netherlands).
The I-Stem Classroom was tested in Dublin in November 2022 with students from all three schools.
HOW TO USE THE TOOLKIT
The I-Stem Classroom has been divided into 3 separate parts:
PART 1 – I-STEM Classroom Creative Techniques
These can be used in any class for any topic to give energy and focus
PART 2 – Masterclasses
Developed by teachers for teachers, in this section you will find information about how to access the online Masterclasses
PART 3 – Lesson Plans
Lesson plans on specific topics have been developed for you to use as
examples on how to integrate ISTEM learning into the classroom.
LESSON PLANS
MASTERCLASSES
CREATIVE TECHNIQUES
Do you have questions?
Contact us
You can also email us directly: contact@istem-project.eu