We sought to explore the intersection between interdisciplinary STEM/STEAM educational approaches and Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (ECEfS). For that, we conducted a systematic review of Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC, and Scielo databases from 2007 to 2022 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) commandments. The systematic search led to a list of 12 articles, and we analysed them through theoretical orientations, educational perspectives, and pictures of children’s nature. We found that most studies focus on sustainability’s environmental pillar and address the discipline of science more frequently. Additionally, the authors tend to assume a theoretical orientation on the need for connecting children to a sustainable issue and picture the Apollonian child—assuming children are essentially good and emerge with virtuous traits from this contact, such as environmental care. Accordingly, researchers usually propose experiential learning in environments or settings related to sustainability, while there is a lack of teaching STEM/STEAM knowledge and skills on sustainability or engaging children to act for sustainability. We verified that they frequently lose opportunities to explicitly discern STEM/STEAM knowledge areas and their intersections in moments that could benefit children’s learning.

This article reports a multiple case study in which we analyse Brazilian and Spanish mathematics teachers’ opinions about and predispositions toward gamified activities in STEAM education. To obtain data, we administered a survey to 56 in-service mathematics teachers in primary and secondary education from these countries. The survey had been previously validated throughout an expert judgement process. Our results show a high percentage of teachers who think this kind of activity has positive effects on students’ development, improving their affective domain toward mathematics and required skills for mathematical competency. Notwithstanding, many teachers report insecurity and lack of training for employing such educational methodologies.

STEAM is a recent educational approach intending the interdisciplinary teaching of science, technology, engineering, arts/humanities, and mathematics. The literature reports conceptual confusion that frequently diverts STEAM practice and research to issues concerning particular activities or contexts. Therefore, we carried out a narrative review of articles indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) to elucidate STEAM education’s history, epistemology, and divergences. As a strategy, we first focused on documents that could offer a panoramic view of the object of study – literature reviews and articles about STEAM frameworks. Through them, we identified essential discussion points and further expanded the review. As a result, we articulated rationalities about why STEAM is not a mere evolution of STEM, a teaching methodology, or just a synonym for interdisciplinarity. Furthermore, we discussed the appropriateness of interdisciplinarity in STEAM – since it is strongly supported by the disciplines and their intersections – instead of pursuing transdisciplinarity, meaning knowledge remains undefined in a holistic whole. We differentiated STEAM disciplines (list of the five knowledge areas), STEAM activities (interdisciplinary teaching unity of at least two STEAM disciplines), and STEAM education (educational approach of interdisciplinarity between all five disciplines). Finally, we defined and proposed a framework for STEAM in a table format that stresses two necessary and sufficient conditions – interdisciplinarity and the five acronym areas. The framework permits envisioning the plurality of teaching methodologies and educational objectives consistent with STEAM.

Se presenta una revisión narrativa de la literatura cuyo objetivo es explorar la relación entre la educación STEAM (acrónimo en inglés de la interdisciplinaridad entre Ciencias, Tecnología, Ingeniería, Artes/humanidades y Matemáticas) y el aprendizaje lúdico. Para ello, se han recolectado y analizado artículos indexados en las plataformas de Web of Science y Scopus. A partir de la revisión realizada, en primer lugar, se presenta brevemente la evolución histórica y las definiciones de estos dos enfoques y, seguidamente, se exploran evidencias de experiencias de educación STEAM a partir de metodologías de enseñanza basadas en el aprendizaje lúdico: el juego libre, el juego guiado, el juego formal y la gamificación. En segundo lugar, se analiza la intersección entre ambos enfoques en torno a la creatividad y se destacan implicaciones para el desarrollo profesional del profesorado. Se concluye que los vínculos entre la educación STEAM y el aprendizaje lúdico son cognitivamente potentes y factibles en todos los niveles educativos; sin embargo, aportan una complejidad al planteamiento didáctico, lo cual requiere conocimientos que el profesorado no tiene y eso puede generar cierta resistencia y conflictos cognitivos. Finalmente, se ha identificado la necesidad de una comprensión más amplia del aprendizaje lúdico, de más investigaciones y de una formación apropiada al profesorado sobre el networking STEAM-lúdico.

We sought to analyse the effects of a practical teacher-training program on teachers’ abilities in planning STEAM activities. For that, a case study is presented in a mixed-method research approach. 14 Brazilian teachers took part in a course wherein they received mentoring, instruments, and feedback to develop STEAM plans. In this research, data were collected from two surveys, from previously validated open-ended questions, and from the STEAM plans as final products. Quantitative data was analysed through nonparametric statistical tests, and qualitative data underwent content analysis according to the Ground Theory commandments. As a result, teachers reported a positive view of the STEAM impact and a high predisposition towards it. Although they considered merging STEAM areas challenging, especially Engineering and Technology, the training helped them surpass it. All plans had at least two areas, and half of them had all five STEAM areas. Around 70% of the teachers used an active learning teaching method which was new to them. There was a significant augment in teachers' self-efficacy in planning STEAM activities.

We aim to review students’ conceptions of engineers and engineering accessed through their drawings. Accordingly, we enrolled in a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocols. For that, we established the Web of Science as the source of information. After applying eligibility criteria, the search resulted in ten records. We observed that many reviewed studies enrolled in research designs which contained comparisons of groups, cohorts (cross-age) or pre-post-tests. However, they generally overlooked appropriate statistical tests. Overall, the studies evidenced that most students conceive engineers as males who work individually in manual activities and outdoor environments. The major contribution of this study is providing an overview of the investigation of children’s conceptions of engineering. Additionally, we call attention to the need for more research, teacher training, and carefully planned and executed activities that enhance students’ conceptions of engineers and engineering instead of worsening stereotypes—especially considering current curriculum proposals, such as STEAM education embracing engineering at precollege levels.