STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) is part of the curricula at many international schools, while some offer STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Both allow students to learn, explore and create in and out of the classroom. Here’s a look at what a handful of these Singapore schools get up to each day with their programmes!
Canadian International School Singapore – STEAM education for grades K-12
The Canadian International School (CIS) was the first Singapore school to integrate STEAM into daily learning across all K-12 grades. The school’s interdisciplinary approach integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. CIS believes that this engaging approach goes far beyond using iPads, interactive screens or coding alone in helping children become curious and adaptable learners. The school says this belief has never been more important at a time when the world is changing faster than ever.
STEAM education at CIS is hands-on and student-led; it sees students exploring problems and potential solutions across different disciplines. This is evident in the school’s dedicated STEAM makerspaces – which are part lab, part shop, part conference room – and elsewhere on campus. It’s a unique learning approach that helps students develop essential skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking. These are the kinds of skills that are crucial to success in today’s workforce.
Teachers integrate appropriate subject areas into learning, depending on the concept being explored or the activity in question. Recent lesson plans have included kindergarten students exploring basic coding by guiding Blue-Bots, KIBO and Matatalab robots through mazes. In Grade 5, students built and tested 3D circuit models to study energy consumption and sustainability in the school. Projects like these rely on collaboration, with peers conducting research and problem-solving. Students are encouraged to think creatively and critically while they create and test possible solutions. Through this process, they understand that challenges cannot be solved through one discipline alone. Instead, they’re encouraged to think creatively and draw connections across different areas of knowledge to solve problems.
Hear from a teacher
“At CIS, we focuse on helping students explore, build and innovate through meaningful, real-world experiences. By giving students these challenges, we support them to see themselves as creators, engineers and thinkers who can make a positive impact.” – Kent Jamieson, Primary STEAM teacher
7 Jurong West Street 41
6734 8088 | cis.edu.sg
Dulwich College (Singapore) – supporting STEAM through partnerships
The fundamentals of STEAM education are integrated into the Dulwich curriculum from age two to 18 years. They’re driven by Guiding Statements and student interests. Through an inquiry approach, knowledge and conceptual understanding are developed. This is then applied to entrepreneurial, environmental and creative projects. Dulwich learners have access to state-of-the-art equipment and specialist teaching spaces for science, visual and performing arts, design and technology, and computer science. The school says this inspires learners to engineer and develop solutions to real-world problems.
Similarly, the partnerships that the school has established support this approach to STEAM education. One of these is regular artist-in-residence visits from Singapore and overseas. There are also workshops and programmes for students to enhance their knowledge and creative skills in a wide variety of genres. Across the Junior and Senior schools, for example, young engineers have the opportunity to work with the James Dyson Foundation. In selecting these partners, the school says it’s mindful of exposing learners to a diversity of careers and backgrounds. This allows them to understand the great variety of opportunities and possibilities that the future holds for each of them, as they pursue their endeavours in industry. The ‘One Campus, Many Colleges’ network of EiM Schools enables students to make links internationally through collaborative opportunities and STEAM challenges.
Hear from an educator
“STEAM opportunities provide students with a portfolio of transferable skills. This is in preparation for further study or the fundamentals to ‘Live Worldwise’ as an independent artist, designer or engineer. We aim to provide world-class facilities, teaching and learning, plus enrichment opportunities for students from Kindergarten to IBDP.” – Kathryn Hall, Director of Visual Art and Design & Technology
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org
Enjoyed reading about how Singapore international schools incorporate STEM and STEAM education into their curriculum? Now see our story about the benefits of digital learning as part of a STEAM or STEM education. You can read more generally about education topics in our Schools section, too. Also, don’t miss our Things to Do in Singapore pages!
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