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Arts & Communication Fostering belonging through STEAM education

A more specific pedagogical approach within Thus, transdisciplinary art education integrates
transdisciplinary art education is the creative inquiry principles of inquiry-based learning, design thinking, and
process supported by Costantino. This process involves PBL to create a holistic educational experience. By blurring
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identifying a problem, employing multiple-model inquiries, the boundaries between disciplines, this approach fosters
refining the problem, and conducting in-process critiques. creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, preparing
After iterating through this cycle multiple times, the team students to address complex challenges in innovative
refines the problem, culminating in a final exhibition or ways. The integration of transdisciplinary methodologies
presentation. This method emphasizes the iterative nature in STEAM education not only enhances academic
of creative inquiry and the importance of reflection and achievement but also cultivates a lifelong love of learning
critique in the development of student projects. and exploration.
Highlighting the benefits of this approach, applying a 2.3. The integration of maker culture in STEAM
transdisciplinary approach in STEAM education broadens education
students’ knowledge and perspectives, thereby enhancing STEAM education extends beyond conventional teaching
their academic achievement. This approach encourages methods focused on inquiry-based learning and artistic
students to make connections across disciplines, fostering practices; it also emphasizes the value of expressing
a more holistic understanding of complex issues and ideas visibly and producing tangible outcomes in the
promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 16
real world. Makerspaces play a pivotal role in STEAM
Design thinking, a prevalent pedagogy in STEAM education by blending knowledge from various STEAM
education, complements these transdisciplinary disciplines. Consequently, maker culture has gradually
approaches. Its stages – empathize, define, ideate, permeated educational settings. The DIY philosophy has
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prototype, and test – aim to improve or influence lives. In garnered substantial support through initiatives, such as
the context of inquiry-based learning, STEAM education the annual White House Maker Faire and National Day
trains both artists and scientists, highlighting their shared of Making, which aim to advocate for maker-centered
characteristics such as creativity and innovation. This teaching approaches that provide students with diverse
approach employs a child-centered methodology, where opportunities beyond traditional PBL and hands-on
teachers support students through self-chosen activities activities. 21
by managing frustrations and uncertainties. Consequently, Initially embraced by hobbyists at home and in
camp teachers integrated two aspects from the eight studio informal learning environments, such as maker studios,
habits of mind: Envision and stretch and explore. A guided the maker movement has now made its way into formal
sketch journal was designed to facilitate questioning and education, emphasizing learning that stems from personal
reflection, prompting students to make predictions before interests and exploratory experiences. This shift involves
activities, record their processes during activities, and students using tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters,
reflect afterward. 18 and microcontrollers to craft objects that hold personal
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Further supporting this integrated approach, PBL significance. The strong connection between STEAM
involves students collaboratively addressing real-life education and maker culture is evidenced by how these
problems and creating tangible products. This process tools facilitate the creation of physical products that mirror
includes frequent feedback loops to refine and finalize the students’ learning journeys and accomplishments.
product. PBL allows students to engage deeply with the Maker culture encourages a hands-on and collaborative
subject matter, apply their knowledge in practical ways, approach to education, urging students to engage in
and develop skills transferable to other contexts. 19 various activities with specific learning goals. This teaching
Art educators have further diversified the principles method aligns with constructivist principles that highlight
of design thinking in STEAM education. For example, learning through active participation and interaction
they utilized a modified design thinking approach in their with materials and tools. In makerspaces, students dive
interactive sculpture STEAM lesson, engaging students into concepts, such as engineering, circuitry, design, and
in brainstorming and making processes. This modified programming, demonstrating their understanding by
approach includes stages of planning, doing, refining, and creating physical objects.
presenting. By adapting design thinking to suit the needs Many countries recognize the benefits of makerspaces
of art education, educators can provide students with a in enhancing modern education and have launched various
structured yet flexible framework for creative problem- programs to cultivate innovative ideas, such as the belief
solving. 20 that everyone can participate in making. Make Magazine,

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 4 doi: 10.36922/ac.4437