We had three main objectives for this project. First was to create an online course at the disposal of any organisation who would like to teach STEAM to the children. Second to create a methodology adapted to young people with fewer opportunities and difficult social backgrounds and provide a method that helps them gain confidence and useful skills in STEAM. Third to create a platform that creates links between European youth organisations involved in STEAM activities. We wanted to co-create a program that would help children aged between 9 and 15 years to develop computer skills such as the basics of coding. We wanted the platform to be a valuable tool with STEAM educational materials and teacher’s guide for achieving the desired learning outcomes. We wanted to use an informal approach and have the lessons led by the students. We also wanted the STEAM platform to be participative for all the organisations that would like to share their resources and programs.
This project aimed to exchange knowledge and experience with international partners, while also forging strong partnerships. Another aim was for our young people to develop their sense if European identity and citizenship, while also learning about the EU through youth exchanges. Both organisations successfully increased access to STEAM based courses for young people both in Ireland and abroad. Through a dual learning atmosphere, we exchanged ideas with our partners and have seen opportunities to improve our own STEAM based programmes, as well as sharing some of our programme ideas with them. Over the past year Citywise has moved from STEM to STEAM and Room For Art supported us through this, particularly in the arts aspect, through digital lesson creations and videos.