STE(A)M Education and Creativity

Abstract

Creativity is our engine towards progress and our weapon in overcoming problems and obstacles. In our role as educators and teachers, we must strive to create a generation armed with science, an innovative and creative generation. One of the most prominent and successful modern methodologies that enhance different skills among students and develop their creativity is what is now known as STE(A)M education, where science sometimes combines technology, engineering and mathematics with artistic aspects. From this perspective, the systematic review provided a compilation of experiences regarding the impact of STE(A)M education on students’ creativity. The review process included an analysis of 45 studies found in Scopus databases over 2018–2022, including some studies focused on STEM and others on STEAM. Additionally, some of them discussed formal learning, while others emphasized informal learning and the balance between them. In the analysis, it was found that both educational approaches resulted in positive effects on student creativity, ranging from kindergarten through higher education. In the light of the principal findings, it was concluded that STEM and STEAM can both develop creativity in students by using diverse strategies that are modern and distinct and based on different learning theories. Nevertheless, it appears that the introduction of arts has had a positive impact on STEM and broken down the barriers created by the stalemate in science subjects. Its addition also contributed to the combination of divergent and convergent thinking and made learning more enjoyable and relevant to real life. It seems that both girls and boys enjoy learning through STE(A)M. Furthermore, they show interest in STE(A)M careers in the future.