ERIC Number: EJ1290246
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2227-7102
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Available Date: N/A
Supporting Teachers on Their STEAM Journey: A Collaborative STEAM Teacher Training Program
Boice, Katherine L.; Jackson, Justina R.; Alemdar, Meltem; Rao, Analía E.; Grossman, Sabrina; Usselman, Marion
Education Sciences, v11 Article 105 2021
There is growing enthusiasm for STEAM education in preparing students for an increasingly complex world. However, implementing STEAM in the classroom can be challenging for educators, as it may require collaboration across disciplines, increased workload, and understanding the nature of STEAM integration. This paper details a mixed-methods evaluation of a year-long STEAM teacher training program, in which a STEM teacher and an arts teacher collaborated to design and implement integrated STEAM lessons at each of the nine participating schools (n = 17). The training program consisted of a 5-week summer professional development experience, followed by ongoing financial, material, and pedagogical support during the school year, made possible by the partnership of the schools, a university, and community organizations. Findings from surveys, focus groups, and written reflections suggest that, despite certain challenges, aspects of the training program supported teacher implementation of STEAM. Participation in the program impacted teachers' collaboration, pedagogy, self-efficacy, and arts integration practices. The findings offer insight into the forms of support that teachers deem important in STEAM teacher training programs and the benefits of such a program for teachers' professional development.
Descriptors: Art Education, STEM Education, Professional Development, Teacher Education, Summer Programs, Program Effectiveness, Teacher Collaboration, Curriculum Implementation, Active Learning, Student Projects, Inquiry, Partnerships in Education, Self Efficacy, Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Universities, Community Organizations
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; High Schools; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
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Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Georgia (Atlanta)
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Author Affiliations: N/A