Towards a framework for STEAM education in Youthreach in
Ireland: building on stakeholder perspectives
McLoughlin, EilishORCID: 0000-0001-7991-7134 and Chadwick, Ruth
(2022)
Towards a framework for STEAM education in Youthreach in
Ireland: building on stakeholder perspectives.
In: CASTeL 9th STEM Education Research Conference, 24-25 June 2022, Dublin.
STEAM education is a pedagogical approach that merges science, technology, engineering, arts and
mathematics and aims to develop learner knowledge, skills/life skills and attitudes, while promoting
engagement. It can be particularly relevant in alternative education provision settings, such as the
Youthreach programme for early school leavers, in Ireland. This research is based on the implementation
of a two-year project “Full STEAM ahead: A partnership approach to STEAM in Youthreach”. This paper
presents the approach adopted to design a Framework for STEAM Education in Youthreach, developed
in light of current literature and through co-creation between researchers and stakeholders, over the first
year of the project. Stakeholder viewpoints were gathered through interviews, then analysed through
qualitative content analysis. This involved comparing interview transcripts to a pre-determined coding
frame based on the Framework for STEAM Education in Youthreach. The Framework identifies STEAM;
STEAM learning outcomes; STEAM session supports; and STEAM assessment. The proposed
Framework is informed by the innovative and emerging field of literature in STEAM education and the
important role that STEAM education can play within Youthreach alternative education provision in
Ireland.
Item Type:
Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Event Type:
Conference
Refereed:
Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:
STEAM; alternative education; Youthreach; framework; competences