CONTEXT / BACKGROUND:Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are critically important disciplines for modern society. The idea of adding the arts to STEM has recently gained a lot of momentum and given rise to STEAM i.e. exploring where the arts naturally fit into the STEM subjects. An art-inclusive approach to STEM strengthens creativity and ingenuity in all areas, allowing teachers to expand ways of knowing and learning to inspire more learners. This project aims to draw on key strengths of partner schools to weave STEM and the arts together to create more accessible and relevant lessons. It will draw on the experience and knowledge of partner schools to explore and develop activities that model good, inquiry-based science and mathematics teaching but also to draw on art in the development of lessons with a broader appeal.OBJECTIVES:The project will provide training for educators to acquire expertise in the integration of technology and pedagogy and provide a wider platform to share this experience. It will foster collaboration and communication among students and teachers at a cross-European level. Its objectives include:* Increased Teacher competence in STEAM teaching.* Developing student skills and competences through effective and innovative teaching and assessment. * Enhanced access, participation and motivation for all learners, but with a special focus on increasing girls engagement with STEM subjects .* Increased Environmental Awareness: Extending learning beyond the classroom and develop responsible attitudes to environmental awareness, both at home and in the wider community. * Increased Collaborative Learning / Student Agency The project will result in a measurable increase in the use of collaborative learning methodologies. * Opportunities for Distributed Leadership: The formation of STEAM TEAMs will give teachers and students the opportunity to take leadership roles within their own school. * Developed Links to Community: drawing on expertise of parents / community in STEAM professions in the wider school community.PARTICIPANTS:The project team involves 5 primary schools from Ireland, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Turkey. The partners in this project bring together a unique blend of expertise and specialisation in various aspects of STEM and Arts education. Each school will have a dedicated team of participating classroom teachers and also teams of student leaders. Participating students will be drawn from all age groups across the primary sector.ACTIVITIES:The project will involve 2 years of continuous engagement between partners. This collaboration will be punctuated by 5 Teaching and Learning Exchanges. Each of these will have a broad focus (Defining STEAM, Girls in STEAM, Computational Thinking and Coding, Robotics and Environmental Awareness / Green Schools). Participants will collaboratively develop a series of exemplar lessons in STEAM targeted access all ages at primary level. There will also be a series of e-Twinning projects which will be focused on various themes within the project.METHODOLOGY:(1) A range of workshops and presentations which draw on best practice and innovation in in relation to a STEAM related theme.(2) A Lesson Development Cycle:- * Identification of common content. Topics will be selected to ensure a broad coverage and adherence to the strands of each national curriculum* Sharing of best practice in teaching / learning methodologies from partner countries.* Develop exemplar STEAM lessons for selected topics (ensuring consistency with agreed criteria for effective STEAM lessons)* Creation of exemplar repository on the project website (in all partner languages)(3) A programme of open digital badges will be linked to project learning goals.(4) Student Agency - the development of students teams for peer teaching in areas such as robotics/coding. RESULTS:Teachers will have increased levels of competence in planning effective STEAM lessons which are motivating, engaging, and feature real-world content. The lesson repository will create a web-based resource which features a range exemplars in STEAM planning across all primary grade levels. Students will integrate and apply meaningful and important mathematics and science content in more engaging and creative ways. Furthermore they will have had the opportunity to engage in collaborative activities both in their own schools and at a cross-European setting.In the long-term this project will result in the professional development of teachers in the application of STEAM methodologies. Among students there will be a greater positivity and engagement in science and mathematics with increased interest in these areas among girls. As well as improved STEM competences there will be opportunity for skill development in communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.