STEAM Education at Fontenebro International School
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) projects have revolutionised education by promoting learning based on problem solving and exploration. At Fontenebro International School, we implement this methodology to develop critical thinking, creativity and teamwork skills in our students. At Fontenebro, we constantly use STEM projects to enhance learning, ensuring that every student has access to innovative and enriching educational experiences.
One of the fundamental pillars of STEM education is teamwork. At Fontenebro, we use collaborative projects that help our students develop communication and leadership skills. By facing practical challenges, they learn to communicate, share ideas and make decisions together. A simple example in primary education is the challenge of building a longer paper chain in a limited time, using only specific materials. Such activities not only reinforce engineering concepts, but also encourage the efficient use of resources. To evaluate these dynamics, we focus on how they collaborate and solve problems, rather than just grading the end result.
Hands-on learning is another key to STEM education. At Fontenebro, we design classes to be lively experiences that encourage enquiry and discovery. When our students design their own experiments and reach conclusions on their own, they develop fundamental analytical skills. Critical thinking is strengthened by analysing the validity of information and distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant data for their projects.
Making content relevant to students’ daily lives increases their interest and engagement. Relating lessons to real-world problems allows them to understand the importance of STEM skills and their impact on society. At Fontenebro, we seek to connect STEM projects with everyday life situations, encouraging innovation and creativity. The ability to innovate and find solutions is a highly valued skill in today’s working world, and our STEM projects prepare students to take on these challenges with confidence.
Error is an essential component of STEM education. At Fontenebro, we encourage our students to see failures as learning opportunities, reinforcing their resilience and creativity. Trial and error is a natural part of the discovery process in science and engineering, and normalising it in the classroom strengthens perseverance and creativity.
Creativity is another key aspect of the STEM approach. Integrating art into projects transforms the methodology into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), allowing for more complete and enriching learning. At Fontenebro, we encourage interdisciplinarity between art and science, allowing our students to combine design, technology and experimentation in their projects. Through art, they can express their ideas visually, design more innovative prototypes and enhance their imagination.
Taking advantage of today’s technological tools facilitates STEM education. At Fontenebro, we use advanced digital platforms that enrich the educational experience and prepare our students for the technological challenges of the future. There are numerous digital platforms and resources designed to support teachers in their lesson planning. Companies such as Microsoft offer interactive educational solutions that allow our students to develop projects with advanced digital tools.
At Fontenebro, STEM education is much more than a methodology; it is our way of preparing our students for the future, enhancing their abilities to solve problems, work in teams and innovate in an ever-changing world. We remain committed to STEM education as a fundamental pillar in the comprehensive education of our students, ensuring that each student has access to dynamic and meaningful learning.
