The STEAM education model can be implemented as early as preschool, according to the EdTech Poland Foundation. This interdisciplinary teaching approach incorporates elements of science, technology, and art. By using the STEAM method, children develop future-ready skills like analytical thinking, multilingualism, and teamwork from a young age, while still learning through play.
“STEAM is a trend in education—a methodology that connects science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. It’s a project-based, interdisciplinary approach that teaches students to look at problems from multiple perspectives. Students learning in the spirit of STEAM learn to solve interdisciplinary problems and work in groups,” explains Mateusz Rybiński, President of the EdTech Poland Foundation.
STEAM is designed to foster future skills development. Experts highlight that this methodological approach allows children to draw from multiple fields at once, combining mathematical, technical, and computing skills. A key added value is improved communication, teamwork, learning from mistakes, creative problem-solving, and reducing the fear of failure.
“We encourage interdisciplinary learning so that children don’t grow up in silos like they do today, where mathematics is entirely separate from physics, and physics from geography, and so on. We aim to instill this new approach from preschool onwards,” says Rybiński. “Above all, we should be teaching logical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. These are both hard and soft skills that are universal. No matter how the future unfolds or how AI develops, these are skills that will always be important in the workplace.”
Although STEAM is often associated with teaching scientific subjects, it is also effective for language learning, history, and other humanities subjects. Humanities and science often intersect, providing non-obvious ways to solve problems.
According to Mateusz Rybiński, the president of EdTech Poland, which developed the “STEAM Team” document, this model can be implemented as early as preschool. At this stage, children observe, experiment, build emotional resilience, and learn social interactions.
“It’s crucial to introduce these skills, developed through STEAM education, at the preschool level. At this stage of child development, many competencies are developed rapidly; children absorb skills and knowledge quickly. This certainly helps in their future learning approach. The preschool period is key to a child’s development,” says the expert.
He emphasizes that the STEAM methodology is still taught through play, which positively affects children’s motivation. Through play, stress and anxiety levels decrease, and what seems difficult and unclear becomes more understandable and manageable.
“We’re currently seeing a strong trend in implementing STEAM education, both in preschools and schools. There’s still a lack of knowledge on the subject and practical skills among educators, but we’re seeing a great deal of interest from both educators and institutions responsible for teacher qualification improvement,” notes Rybiński.
According to the “STEAM Team” document, lessons using the STEAM method are built in 10 steps. The first step is choosing a problem, ideally selected by the preschoolers themselves. In the second step, teams are formed—STEAM teams that will work on solving the problem. The third step involves developing a concept to determine what is needed to solve the issue, followed by creating a workspace. Step five is the creative process, where children experiment and work on the problem. In step six, the results of the work are tested, followed by conclusions and potential modifications. The final step involves implementing the solutions suggested by the children into everyday life. For example, a created watering device should be installed in flower pots.
“Implementing STEAM education in preschools is, of course, possible, but it requires the willingness and skills of educators. For this to happen in Poland, we need training, which I know is being planned. First, educators should know how to do it, be motivated to implement STEAM education, and be equipped with the necessary tools. Additional elements include investments in technological solutions, which aren’t essential but can help make learning more interactive and help children become familiar with technology not just as passive consumers but also as creators,” explains Mateusz Rybiński.
