USING STEAM IN THE PROJECT

 Tuğba Yıldız Arslan                                21/02/2024

    Project founder

STEAM is an interdisciplinary educational approach that connects students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. It aims to develop students' higher-order thinking skills, production skills and innovative capacities (MoNE, 2016). Project-based learning through collaborative exploration, problem-based learning that focuses on solving real-world problems, and place-based learning where students learn by doing are innovative approaches that support STEAM education. STEAM education covers the entire education process, including pre-school education and higher education.

STEAM develops students in how to think critically, solve problems, use creativity, and support them to prepare for real life in a student-centered learning environment (Lathan, n.d.). Nevertheless, not all students need to be scientists, engineers or designers, but it is important to learn how to think like one. Students in a STEAM program not only learn the subject matter, but also how to study, research, analyze, experiment and create.

STEAM activities in our project

To inform:
At the beginning of the training, a general information presentation was made about the effects of waste plastics on the environment. Then, information was given with examples about the recycling and reuse of waste plastics.

2. **Technology and Engineering Applications:** During the training, students were shown practical applications on how waste plastics can be processed and used. This process offered students the opportunity to develop their engineering and technology skills.

3. **Art and Design Elements:** Reuse of waste plastics also has great potential in the fields of art and design. During the training, students were inspired on how to design creative and aesthetic products with waste plastics.

4. **Mathematical Investigations:** Mathematical calculations and measurements are important in the recycling and reuse processes of waste plastics. Students were shown how to calculate material quantity, dimensions, cuts, and other mathematical elements.

5. **Environmental Awareness and Evaluation:** At the end of the training, we made an evaluation about the environmental impacts and importance of recycling waste plastics. Students understood the importance of being environmentally conscious and acting consciously about waste management