STEAM Robotics for Teachers: How Educators Learn

Teachers are being challenged to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) across the curriculum more frequently and effectively. Many teachers are challenged with these aspects for several reasons. In particular, subject areas are still isolated in British Columbia (BC), and only a few schools truly have STEM/STEAM programs. Secondly, STEM is more often accepted than the A. Thirdly, many of the technology or engineering elements lie outside of the comfort zone of some teachers. This proposed research project will work with educators from the Lower Mainland of BC and understand their perspectives of STEAM vs. STEM, the challenges or concerns with STEM/STEAM, and their thoughts about training and resources. Select teachers will be chosen for case study phenomenological research with resources created by a Vancouver-based company (Marginally Clever Robots). This case study will be grounded in situated cognition theory within constructivism. It will explore the integration of STEAM in the classroom. This research project will provide important insights from BC teachers on the role of effective STEAM resources.

Faculty Supervisor:

Yvonne Coady

Student:

Rachel Ralph

Partner:

Marginally Clever Robots

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Education

University:

Program: