Transforming STEAM Education With Maker-Inspired Learning Environments

STEAM education, which integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, is enhanced through maker-inspired learning environments that emphasize creativity, innovation, and hands-on problem-solving. These environments encourage learners to actively design, build, experiment, and collaborate, transforming traditional classroom experiences into spaces for exploration and discovery. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical application, maker-centered approaches foster critical thinking, creativity, and technological literacy while preparing students to meet the challenges of an evolving, innovation-driven world. As educational institutions seek more engaging and student-centered learning models, maker-inspired environments may transform STEAM education. Transforming STEAM Education With Maker-Inspired Learning Environments focuses on STEAM education as a strategic axis for educational innovation and teacher development across different levels of schooling. It brings together theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and practical experiences related to the implementation of STEAM approaches in primary and secondary education, as well as in initial and in-service teacher education. This book covers topics such as educational technologies, instructional design, and professional development, and is a useful resource for educators, academicians, researchers, and scientists.

Manuel Santos holds a PhD in Multimedia in Education by the University of Aveiro (2024), specialization in Teaching by the University of Aveiro (2001), Post-graduated in Multimedia Technology, from the Faculty of Engineering - Oporto University (1998) and Degree in Industrial Computer Engineering, from de Superior Institute of Engineering of Oporto (1996). He is a researcher at the Research Centre on Didactics and Technology for the Training of Educators (CIDTFF), at the Department of Education and Psychology of the University of Aveiro, Portugal. His major research interests are related to the Internet of Things, smart cities, smart censoring and microcontrollers, participatory citizenship, citizen science and teacher training for pedagogical innovation. He has been a computer science teacher since 1996, and is teaching at Agrupamento de Escolas de Gafanha da Nazaré since 2000.