Exploring Interdisciplinary STEAM Practices Through Making a Kinetic Sculpture

• In Event: Intersecting Making and STEAM Practices With Social and Emotional Talk

Abstract

In this paper, we examined interdisciplinary STEAM practices while middle school youth designed and made a kinetic sculpture in a STEAM-based designed workshop. Applying a mixed methods approach, we analyze discipline focused pre and post tests for learning growth on physical computing and arts. In a multiple case study of two dyads, we draw on video and artifact analysis to examine the interdisciplinary STEAM practices. Findings show that while designing and building kinetic sculpture, students demonstrated interdisciplinary skills including communicating concepts, applying materials, revising and making processes, collaboration, and consideration of audience experience. With indicators for recognizing learning in action, this study has implications for designing toward interdisciplinary curriculum and teaching, and strengthening the education pipeline for STEAM learning.

Authors

• Lora Cawelti, University of California - Irvine
  Presenting Author

• Joey Huang, North Carolina State University
  Presenting Author

• Santiago Ojeda-Ramirez, University of California - Irvine
  Presenting Author

• Kimberly M. Telfer-Radzat, Sycamore Creek Community Charter School
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kylie A. Peppler, University of California - Irvine
  Non-Presenting Author