TES Annual Report

STEAM AND INNOVATION

British Primary Section Students' use of education technology under the umbrella of STEAM has continued to develop apace. Every year group, from Nursery through to Year 6, ensured that they planned for and delivered at least one STEAM activity this year. Some notable examples were the Glowing Nightlight, linked to the 'Spotlight On Me!' IC topic (science: light/dark/shadows). The students were able to assemble a glowing nightlight and design a lid for it to show their understanding of the properties of light (opaque, transparent, etc.) The Fairground prototypes, linked to a unit on Fairgrounds - through this STEAM project, students learned how mechanical components within fairground rides work and what the forces are that act upon them. Students had to include a working mechanism which caused the ride to move, e.g. gears/pulleys, and incorporate a circuit with a functional light. Diorama projects and puppet theatres also provided students with opportunities to reinforce their understanding and use of the Design Cycle, linking meaningful practical activities to their developing understanding of the world around them. STEAM Week, which is held annually, provides further opportunities for students to demonstrate their talents and creativity. French Section The French Section embraced STEAM education through a collaborative and engaging project for the upcoming Christmas Bazaar. Cycle 3 students (CM1 and CM2) immersed themselves in the design and creation of arcade-style games, including video games, basketball, pinball, and whack-a-mole. By following the Design Thinking process, students iteratively developed prototypes, testing and refining their ideas. To create a captivating atmosphere, other classes contributed to the transformation of the Infant Hall into an Arcade Games Venue, crafting decorations and a 3D mural. This collective effort engendered a strong sense of ownership and pride among all students. Beyond the classroom, the French Section secondary students actively participated in science conferences organised by the Bureau Français de Taipei in collaboration with the Science and University Department in Taiwan. For example, at an Academia Sinica conference, students had the opportunity to delve into the world of diamonds through presentations by renowned experts. The Q&A session encouraged lively discussions and demonstrated the strong Franco-Taiwanese scientific partnership. STEAM education at EPC aims to cultivate creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. Through engaging projects, our students have demonstrated remarkable talent and potential for innovation. We are excited to be expanding our STEAM initiatives, thus helping to secure a bright future for all. German Section Even in kindergarten, children use inquiry-based learning methods to find out about their environment - how something grows in the earth, what the water cycle looks like, which animals live on Earth, etc. Learning with their heads, hearts and hands should give our children the broadest possible access to the topics they study, such as when they visit a pottery workshop and make their own workpieces. In primary school, the children then learn about the research steps involved in scientific questions, in projects on topics such as "Swimming and Sinking", "Light and Shadow", or "Development of a Caterpillar ", among others. In secondary school, digital tools for recording measurements and analysing data are gradually integrated into science lessons.

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