Hyderabad: 150+ schools join Oxford University Press India to learn about STEAM education

Hyderabad: Oxford University Press (OUP), the world's largest University Press on Friday organised a seminar- cum- workshop on STEAM Education in Hyderabad. STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. It empowers teachers to employ project-based learning that crosses all five disciplines and fosters an experiential learning environment, where all students are able to engage and contribute.

Nearly 150 school representatives participated in the event that introduced the STEAM concept to teachers and focused on its applicability in classrooms. OUP also brought in industry experts to engage with teachers and enlighten them with views on 'Learning in the 21st Century'. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Aurobindo Saxena, Consultant and Educationist. Eminent panellists shared their views on how STEAM education is the need of the hour for any modern day schooling system. The panellists included Ms Lalitha Naidu, Principal, Meridian School, Ms Latha Shankar, Principal, P Obul Redddy Public School, Dr C. Ravi Prasad, Principal, Vikas Concept School and Ms Madhavi Chandra, Associate Director, Geetanjali Group of Schools. Speaking about the event, Sivaramakrishnan Venkateswaran, Managing Director, Oxford University Press (India) said, "STEAM Education is based on the ideals of collaborative exploration and problem-based learning with a focus on real-world issues. It is conceptually different from the traditional education models that have limited scope for students to innovate, create and solve complex problems. At OUP, our endeavour is to continually engage with educators and introduce them to newer learning and teaching pedagogies, so that learners are 21st century ready."

Educationist and Workshop moderator, Vaishali Gupta, said "The STEAM based learning concept is a holistic framework that involves both mental and physical faculties, different modes of representation, and diverse self-learning abilities. Unlike routine classroom assessments that are dominated by content and mainly evaluate knowledge and recall, the concept of STEAM learning aims at helping children discover their true potential of being inventors, creators, designers, collaborators, and problem solvers. We have received an overwhelming response from our stakeholders who have shared their ideas on how to make STEAM more proficient."