STEAM Tales aimed to make STEAM education more inclusive, engaging, and gender-sensitive at the primary level. Our main objectives were to: (1) spark children’s interest in STEAM through storytelling and real-world female role models, (2) equip teachers with pedagogical tools that integrate narrative and experimentation, and (3) challenge gender stereotypes by showcasing diverse women’s achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We aimed to create resources that make STEM subjects more accessible, especially for girls, by promoting inquiry-based learning and imagination. The project also aimed to strengthen cooperation among European partners with expertise in education, storytelling, and gender inclusion. These goals directly align with Erasmus+ priorities such as promoting inclusion and diversity, improving the quality of school education, and supporting innovative practices in teaching and learning.
STEAM Tales was developed to address two challenges that are interconnected: the underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM careers and the lack of inclusive, engaging educational practices in primary schools. Despite growing awareness, girls remain significantly less likely to pursue STEM subjects, often due to persistent stereotypes, lack of relatable role models, and uninspiring teaching methods. One of the reasons that leads to this is that many teachers lack the tools or confidence to approach STEM in creative and inclusive ways. With this in mind, STEAM Tales responded by proposing an innovative combination of storytelling and hands-on experimentation to make STEM subjects more approachable, especially for girls aged 6–9. By highlighting the stories of real women in STEM and connecting them to classroom experiments, STEAM Tales aimed to challenge stereotypes early and promote curiosity and confidence in science and technology. Initial research and pilot testing confirmed both the relevance of this approach and its positive reception by teachers and primary students that were involved.