STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) for citizenship

DESCRIPTION

In an increasingly technical and specialized world, the need for a scientifically and technologically literate society has never been more urgent. Understanding the foundations of scientific and technological knowledge—as well as the practices and processes involved—is essential for thinking critically and actively engaging with contemporary societal challenges.

STEM education promotes the integrated development of the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, with particular focus on their relevance and responsibility toward society.

This course is coordinated by an interdisciplinary team of specialists in STEAM approaches from the Faculty of Education and aims to provide participants with tools to foster active citizenship in their future professional careers. Through integrated STEAM models, the program explores how different disciplines interact and complement one another.

The course takes place at La Estación de la Ciencia y la Tecnología—a public engagement project led by the Scientific Culture Unit of the University of Burgos and the Burgos City Council, with support from the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) and the Ministry of Science and Innovation. Located in the city’s historic train station, the center aims to promote scientific and technological culture among the citizens of Burgos and the region of Castilla y León. Once a place of arrivals and departures, the station is now a must-visit destination for those curious about science and eager to explore it in an interactive and entertaining way.

Methodology: Project-based learning and engineering design.

COURSE CONTENT

• Foundations of integrated approaches

• Inquiry and engineering design in STEAM contexts

• Inclusion and equity in STEAM education

• Promoting bilingualism through STEAM

• Workshops at La Estación: prototyping, 3D design and printing, video games, AI-generated content

• Observation and participation in after-school workshops at La Estación and visits to primary/secondary schools (depending on the participants’ academic background)

WORKSHOPS

Participants may choose 2 workshops from the following options held at La Estación de la Ciencia y la Tecnología:

Electronic Prototyping with Arduino (8–10 hours)

This workshop provides an introduction to electronic prototyping using the Arduino platform. It covers the basics of electronics, electronic components and their functions, Arduino programming, and building circuits with various sensors and actuators.

• Understanding electronics and component functionality

• Ability to program in Arduino and use built-in libraries

• Knowledge of sensors and actuators and how to integrate them into electronic projects

3D Design and Printing (8–10 hours)

An introductory workshop on 3D modeling and printing. Participants learn about different 3D printer types and their features, how to use 3D modeling software to create designs, and how to prepare and print their models.

• Skills in 3D modeling with tools like Tinkercad, Fusion 360, and Blender

• Knowledge of 3D printing technologies and processes

• Ability to slice models and configure 3D printers for successful prints

Video Game Prototyping with Construct 3 (8–10 hours)

This workshop introduces the basics of video game prototyping using Construct 3. Participants learn about different types of games, game structure, and how to use Construct’s tools to build and refine prototypes.

• Game prototyping skills with Construct

• Understanding the stages of game development and structure

• Creation of visuals, audio, and logic for playable prototypes

Content Creation with Artificial Intelligence

This workshop teaches students how to use AI tools to generate high-quality and relevant content in various formats, including text, images, voice, and video.

• Introduction to AI concepts applied to content creation

• Techniques such as natural language processing (NLP), image recognition, voice synthesis, and video generation

• Hands-on training in choosing datasets, evaluating and optimizing models

• Integration of AI into content workflows to improve productivity and creative output

SPANISH COURSE FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

As a complement to the STEAM academic program, we offer a Spanish for Specific Purposes course focused on science and technology.

This course is designed to support the development of specialized communication skills in Spanish for students and professionals working in technological and scientific fields.

The course is structured around discipline-specific genres (both oral and written) and includes authentic materials that reflect the linguistic conventions of real-world professional and academic contexts. The methodology is based on task-based learning and simulation, ensuring the learner’s active participation in resolving real academic or professional challenges.