Affiliation:
1. Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal
2. Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal
Abstract
In recent years, there is a growing interest in educational approaches that include the integration of STEAM disciplines. However, to contribute to increase students' interest in these subjects from an early age, it is crucial to prepare primary teachers to carry out an integrated STEAM approach in schools. This study is aimed to demonstrate the potential of engaging primary pre-service teachers in a STEAM program within a science and a mathematics course. The results of the study emerged from the analysis of the participants' responses to a pre-post questionnaire, STEAM lesson plans they have developed, and reflective writing assignments they carried out at the end of the STEAM program. Findings show that primary pre-service teachers' attitudes toward a STEAM-integrated approach evolved positively through developing lesson plans. The results revealed benefits and challenges of planning STEAM activities according to the participants and their confidence to implement a STEAM-integrated approach in the context of practice. This work was supported by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., Grant/Award Number UIDP/04748/2020.