The job horizon is evolving as current roles disappear due to automation and new jobs emerge due to technological advances. Educators need to equip students with the relevant skills and knowledge they require to be successful in the workforce.
STEAM Education is an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, the Arts, and Mathematics, as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. It’s more than just learning these subjects individually; STEAM focuses more on combining subjects into interesting new ones like biotechnology or bioengineering.
Studies have shown that STEAM positively impacts student achievement and teacher efficacy. Further studies indicate that connecting STEAM and literacy positively affects cognitive development, increasing students’ literacy and math skills.
That’s why now, more than ever, STEAM is such an essential part of the school curriculum. Skills developed by students through STEAM will provide them with the foundation to succeed at school and beyond and foster creativity and problem-solving in their young minds.
STEAM products prepare students with the skills to succeed and adapt to the changing world. In contrast to traditional learning, STEAM offers a fun and interactive way to create and collaborate in a learning environment - a win-win for both teachers and students.
To help educators new to STEAM or those who need an update on the latest products, our education team has compiled a list of the best STEAM products available at PB Tech.
Strawbees
The Strawbees STEAM kits provide students with a complete solution for hands-on design, engineering, and programming. They’re ideal for hands-on, screen-free and playful learning.
Strawbees building kits include reusable and recyclable straws with connectors that fit together, allowing students to build structures, mechanical contraptions, and robotic mechanisms. These materials help kids combine invention, play, and storytelling as they design and build.
The kit usually includes access to lesson plans, activities, and insights on the Strawbees Classroom platform. Each comes with a getting-started guide and thematic booklets for younger students to engage in storytelling with Strawbees. Educators can also find digital guidance for aligning STEAM activities to their classroom.
Learning by doing isn’t good enough, especially when learning by trying is the future. With Strawbees, students can learn how to build, explore, test and experiment, which is vital in developing students’ creative confidence with technology.
LEGO Education
LEGO Education uses a hands-on learning approach that actively involves students thinking critically with their learning process.
Students use LEGO bricks and digital tools to solve problems creatively and to excel at working with others and thinking critically. By working in this way, they develop their understanding and ability to retain the knowledge of concepts and therefore do well in school and on high-stakes tests.
LEGO Education enables students to be active, creative, and collaborative solution-seekers. In this way, their instinct to learn is stimulated, and they are motivated to apply their learning in new contexts, meaning they embark on a self-directed learning process.
LEGO Education Spike Prime
Combining LEGO® elements, easy-to-use hardware, and an intuitive coding experience, LEGO Education SPIKE™ Prime builds STEAM confidence in primary and intermediate school students.
By combining colourful LEGO building elements, easy-to-use hardware, and an intuitive drag-and-drop coding language based on Scratch, SPIKE Prime continuously engages students through playful learning activities to think critically and solve complex problems, regardless of their learning level.
From easy-entry projects to limitless creative design possibilities, including the option to explore text-based coding with Python, SPIKE Prime helps students learn the essential STEAM and 21st-century skills needed to become the innovative minds of tomorrow.
Discover Lego Education STEAM range
Makeblock
Makeblock started with the aim of helping people turn their ideas into real objects. With the power of innovation and technology, Makeblock allows more students to enjoy creating while having fun.
Carrying the vision of inspiring the students of tomorrow to enjoy the art of creation, Makeblock aims to empower students globally and prepare them for the digital age by providing one of the best STEAM products.
LaserBox Pro Rotary version
The Makeblock LaserBox is specially designed for education. With a user-friendly design and powerful software, educators can improve their teaching efficiency and enrich projects and lessons with easy design solutions.
The LaserBox reduces the barriers to implementing STEAM in the classroom. It also supports laser cutting or engraving various materials requiring minimal manual attention to operate. It’s completely safe to use in a classroom setting.
By auto-recognizing hand drawings and materials through the ultra-wide-angle camera equipped with AI technology, this revolutionary machine can bring students’ creations and imagination to life. With the provided lessons and resources, everyone can get started with the Laserbox.
Discover Makeblock Education STEAM range
Arduino
Arduino Education creates the next generation of STEAM programs, empowering students on their learning journey.
Arduino Education provides comprehensive learning kits in electronics, programming, and coding for primary, secondary and tertiary-level students.
These kits facilitate everyday learning, helping students improve their communication, critical-thinking skills, and group learning.
Arduino Student Kit
The Arduino AKX00025 Student Kit is a hands-on, step-by-step remote learning tool for ages 11 and over. Students can learn the basics of programming, coding and electronics, including current, voltage, and digital logic.
Educators can teach their classes remotely using the kits, and parents can use the kit as a home-school tool for their children to learn at their own pace. Everyone will gain confidence in programming and electronics with guided lessons and open experimentation.
The online platform contains all the content you need to teach remotely: exclusive learning guidance content, tips for remote learning, nine 90-minute lessons, and two open-ended projects.
Each lesson builds off the previous one, providing a further opportunity to apply the skills and concepts students have already learned. They also get a logbook to complete as they work through the lessons.
They can work at their own pace, have fun with all the real-world projects, and increase their confidence as they go. They don’t need any previous knowledge as everything is clearly explained, coding is pre-written, and there’s a vocabulary of concepts to refer to.
Arduino Explore IoT Kit
Innovate, create, transform, and take your students to their first step in building internet-connected objects.
Arduino AKX00027 Explore IoT Kit allows students to build their next smart project. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a giant network of connected devices that collect and share data from all over the world, and it’s changing how we live, work, and study. Learning about the IoT requires students to understand and use different tools, technologies, and programming languages.
With the Arduino IoT Cloud-compatible boards, students can connect devices, visualise data, control, and share their projects anywhere in the world. Whether they're a beginner or pros, Arduino offers a wide range of plans to ensure your students get the features they need to learn.
The IT skills gap is growing. Topping employers’ list of concerns is a lack of IT skills in emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things.
With the Arduino Explore IoT Kit, secondary school students can learn how to build internet-connected objects by following the content with step-by-step tutorials for ten different activities, which include fun, creative experiments with real-life components.
Advanced industry-standard technology, tools, and processes enable students to succeed in their future careers. They’ll gain the knowledge and skills they need to tackle the demands of the IT industry.
Arduino Certification Bundle: Kit & Exam
The Arduino Fundamentals AKX00020 Bundle includes an Arduino Starter Kit and access to the certification exam.
The Arduino Certification exam assesses skills based upon exercises comprised of practical tasks in programming and electronics. To obtain the certificate, students must answer 36 questions over 75 minutes.
Purchasing the bundle includes an Arduino Starter Kit and an activation code, which can be used to unlock 1 attempt at the Arduino Certification exam.
