The STEAM Education Paradigm - Developing physical computing applications with Arduino

THE STEAM EDUCATION PARADIGM - DEVELOPING PHYSICAL COMPUTING APPLICATIONS WITH ARDUINO

Who is this course for?

STEAM education’s aim is to teach the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics in an interdisciplinary approach rather than teaching these disciplines as separate and discrete subjects. It leverages the power of project-based learning and experimental learning and develops the skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and communication, also known as 21st-century skills. This course is aimed mainly at STEAM teachers but also to teachers from any other discipline from secondary to vocational, adult and special needs education, as well as students and all those who are interested in learning and/or improving their STEAM skills. The participants will learn the basic principles of STEAM education and how to apply them in their classes. They will build interactive systems that can sense and respond to the world around them by practicing physical computing principles using Arduino, an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software.

Methodology

Methodology is based mainly on practical workshops, demonstrations and presentations of examples of good practice as well as discussions and experience comparisons. Participants will have the opportunity to get to know the theoretical background as well as go through a series of practical projects in order to develop skills for applying STEAM education in their classes.

Outcomes

Developing and improving the participants’ knowledge and skills related to STEAM education.
Enhancing understanding of the potential STEAM methodology has in education and opportunities it provides.
Providing and exercising creative ideas and practical resources for the successful implementation of STEAM in education.
Developing communication, collaboration, presentation, problem-solving, negotiation, critical and creative thinking skills.
Enhancing professional skills through mastering tools for virtual communication and collaboration, design, and publishing.
Improving English fluency (the official language of the course).
Promoting intercultural awareness.
Sharing experiences and use of STEAM education paradigms from different organizations in order to help each of us to be more effective in our work.
Developing the online collaboration platform for preparation, dissemination, and networking in order to develop future partnerships and projects.
Strengthening the European collaboration among people using ICT in education in different contexts.
Providing insights into different education systems.

Preparation

After registration participants will receive pre-course questionnaire which will be used by the trainer to learn about participants’ teaching backgrounds and to assess their exact needs. Before the beginning of the course a basic reading list will be suggested to participants to prepare for the training. Participants will also be asked to prepare a presentation about themselves, their professional context and their culture. The presentation will be presented on the first day of the course to facilitate networking opportunities. Participants will receive information about the country they are going to visit in order to prepare them for their cultural experience.

Follow up

After the course participants will be asked to share what they have learned with the rest of the staff in their schools. Further books and articles to deepen the topic and contacts with some other practitioners all over Europe and in the world will be suggested by the trainer. The methods shared and explored and the bibliography given will allow the participants to complete and improve their educational path.

5 days programme (25 hours)

course sessions (Monday to Friday)

Introduction of participants, outline of the programme, warm ups and ice breakers
The principles and methodology of STEAM education
Introduction to Physical Computing and the Arduino platform
Workshop 1: Playing with LEDs
Workshop 2: Sensors and Actuators
Workshop 3: Building and Internet of Things (IoT) application - A simple weather station.
Online tools for collaboration in ICT projects, eTwinning, School Education Platform
Individual support
Presentation of outcomes, discussion, evaluation and closing session

cultural and social programme

Teambuilding and networking activities
City tour or a cultural trip

10 days programme (50 hours)

course sessions (Monday to Friday + Monday to Friday)

Introduction of participants, outline of the programme, warm ups and ice-breakers
The principles and methodology of STEAM education
Introduction to Physical Computing and the Arduino platform
Introduction to electricity and electronics
The Arduino programming language
Workshop 1: Playing with LEDs
Workshop 2: The Sound and Light project
Workshop 3: Sensors and Actuators
Workshop 4: Building and Internet of Things (IoT) application - A simple weather station
Workshop 5: A Robotic Car
Online tools for collaboration in ICT projects, eTwinning, School Education Platform
Individual support
Presentation of outcomes, discussion, evaluation and closing session

cultural and social programme

Teambuilding and networking activities
City tour or a cultural trip

CERTIFICATE

Each participant will get a course attendance certificate and we will validate the acquired competences on the Europass Mobility upon request. Please note that we have a paperless policy and all the documents will be delivered in digital form.

COURSE FEE

The course fee is 80 € per day. It includes tuition and materials, cultural and social programme, support in preparation and all the administrative work. There are no additional costs or hidden fees. After registration, you will receive a pro-forma invoice which you will have to pay by bank transaction. You will receive the invoice after you attend the course.

SUBSISTENCE

The course fee doesn't include accommodation and meals and participants are responsible to organize them on their own. In some locations we might be able to recommend or organize subsistence for you. Please don't hesitate to contact us to inquire about any specific location.

REGISTRATION

You can submit a non-biding registration and we will reserve a place for you until you are ready to confirm your participation. cancellations are free until you pay the course fee.