3D STEAM

The “Accelerating STEAM-related Knowledge and Skills via 3D Modelling and 3D Printing” project aims to enhance pre-service teachers' ability to integrate 3D modeling into STEAM education, developing university courses that leverage technology for transdisciplinary teaching. Activities include creating a MOOC, "learning by doing" tasks for creative 3D model production, and promoting STEAM in curricula and teacher training. Expected outcomes are a repository of educational resources, trained pre-service teachers in 3D STEAM approaches, and widespread dissemination of the project's benefits.

Project duration

1.1.2023 - 1.3.2026

Core fields of research

Learning, teaching and interaction

Research areas

Learning environments and evaluation of learning outcomes

Co-operation

Ostrava University, University of Jyväskylä, Johannes Kepler University, University of Luxembourg, Comenius University in Bratislava

Faculty

Finnish Institute for Educational Research

Funding

European Union

Erasmus+

Project description

The 3D STEAM Project aims to support future teachers in planning and implementing teaching activities that combine 3D modelling, 3D printing, and STEAM-based transdisciplinary approaches. The project focuses on developing university-level teacher training courses that strengthen pre-service teachers’ digital, creative, and pedagogical competencies while also supporting wider access to STEAM education and teacher training in participating countries and beyond.

Project activities include the design and implementation of innovative teaching approaches involving 3D modelling and 3D printing technologies, the promotion of “learning by doing” methods that foster creativity and problem-solving skills, and the development of a MOOC to support both teacher education and school-based STEAM learning. The project also seeks to promote equal access to STEAM learning opportunities and support the integration of STEAM approaches into curricula and teacher training practices.

As part of the project’s progress, the consortium has already released online teacher guidelines, developed a didactical concept for STEAM-based 3D learning, mapped the current state of the art, and carried out a curriculum analysis related to 3D modelling and STEAM education. In addition, the project has published lesson plans for 3D printing education as well as an introductory 3DMP course available in multiple languages. These materials and project outputs are publicly available on the project website.

Expected project outcomes include a wide range of classroom and online learning activities related to 3D modelling and STEAM education, all of which will be tested and evaluated in pre-service teacher courses across participating partner institutions. In addition, the project will create a repository of high-quality teaching and learning materials, including MOOC-based resources, and actively disseminate project results to broader educational audiences.

For more information about the project, please contact project researcher Matias Mäki-Kuutti at mamajuma@jyu.fi

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.