Currently, humanity faces great challenges to achieve sustainability, as is evident in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which derive from the 2030 Agenda approved by the United Nations in 2015. These objectives are intended to be a call to global action by all countries to address growing economic, social and environmental challenges. Broadly speaking, the SDGs aim to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people have peace and prosperity by 2030.
These great challenges must be known and studied in educational centers from an early age; a good way to do this is through STEAM subjects. Working from this innovative perspective can be an excellent way to link physics, science or mathematics concepts with topics applicable to the real world and, above all, of interest to students.
An example could be the STEAM application to understand the impacts that climate change is causing on the planet. It is already clear that the increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is causing impacts on temperature, rainfall, extreme weather phenomena such as earthquakes, storms, floods, landslides and we are also verifying that growth Population growth and uncontrolled urbanization make communities much more vulnerable to these natural hazards. From the classroom and with STEAM subjects we can try understand these impacts and prepare students for future risk situations combining: direct experience (brainstorming, interactive multimedia presentations, sharing feelings about disasters, etc.), observation (research and analysis of case studies in teams, use of ICT, project work, etc.), the discovery (hazard mapping and vulnerability assessment in schools and communities, reports, etc.) and action (link student associations with the community to raise awareness about climate change, dangers, poster campaigns, events, action plans, etc.).
From IGNITE, as a promoter of educational projects in STEAM, We believe that education is called to prepare responsible citizens who can understand and face the complex challenges that we currently face on a planetary level, such as: the climate crisis, overpopulation, ocean pollution, loss of biodiversity, atmospheric pollution. , hunger, equality, peace, etc. For it Sustainability must be the common thread that runs through the different school subjects and STEAM projects must be an essential tool to strengthen this foundation that leads young people to be active and effective members of their communities to achieve global environmental, social and economic sustainability.
