SCIENCE EDUCATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL THROUGH STE(A)M APPROACH AND PROJECT BASED LEARNING

Abstract

Science is major area of human mental and practical activity and the knowledge that it generates plays vital part in our lives and in the lives of future generations. Stimulating interest in learning science through relating it to familiar situations and objects helps to develop realization of the wide spread consequences of its applications, locally and globally. The benefit to the children learning science during their primary school years is stated held by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): the development of an enquiring mind; promoting children’s intellectual development, including thinking in a logical way and problem solving; improving the quality of children’s lives; equipping children for living in an increasingly scientific and technological world [1]. Schools face a wide range of changing needs - from students, society and the labor market. To meet the needs, the modern educator dynamizes the traditional classroom by applying methods and approaches that activate the learning process and make it more practical. Particularly popular is one, not so new, approach from the 90s - STE(A)M. Combining knowledge and skills from fields such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, combined with the creativity of the arts, the approach integrates some of the key skills of the 21st century - collaboration, critical thinking and communication. All forms of STE(A)M enable students to apply knowledge and skills that they have previously acquired or are currently learning. The approach is based on the practical application, which makes it very suitable for combination with project-based training. It is also a type of active learning that makes the connection between theory and practice by solving a real problem in life. The Participants explore, search and respond to original, engaging, complex problems of an interdisciplinary nature.

This paper presents an opportunity for the use of STE(A)M project-based learning in the study of "Movement of bodies", which leads to increased interest, motivation and activity of students in science classes in 4th grade.   The project was introduced in grade 4 science class - man and nature, and was implemented within four school hours, in two of which as an additional form - activities of interest.