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Peer Review

Humanizing Science through STEAM Challenges

Reviewed:

Mar 21, 2025 by Teacher Education
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 5.0 stars
Content Quality: 5.0 stars
Effectiveness: 5.0 stars
Ease of Use: 5.0 stars
Overview:

In a science methods course during the Covid19 pandemic, 51 future elementary teachers authored children's books and then read them aloud as part of a giving-back, service-learning activity as Open Educational Resources (OER). The 51 children's stories and their accompanying audiobooks aim to integrate STEM and the Arts to humanize science and scientific inquiry with history and philosophy of science in mind.

Type of Material:

Open (Access) Textbook

Recommended Uses:

This material is versatile and can be utilized in various educational settings:

  • In-Class Story Sessions: Teachers can read the stories aloud or play the audiobooks to introduce scientific concepts in an engaging manner.

  • Homework Assignments: Students can listen to the audiobooks at home, followed by related activities or discussions.

  • Individual Learning: Children can explore the stories independently, fostering self-paced learning.

  • Group Projects: Students can work in teams to create their own stories or artistic pieces based on scientific themes presented.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Lessons: Educators can design lessons that simultaneously address standards in science and the arts.

Technical Requirements:

Internet access and a PDF reader.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

The purpose of the book is to portray the stories of children and how those stories interconnect with aspects of science and how they can be incorporated into art. 

"Humanizing Science through STEAM Challenges" is a valuable resource that effectively combines STEM education with the Arts. Its thoughtful design and content quality make it a versatile tool for enhancing interdisciplinary learning in various educational contexts. The primary objectives of this material are:

  • Integration of Disciplines: To blend STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) with the Arts, fostering a holistic educational approach.

  • Humanizing Science: To present scientific concepts through narratives that make them relatable and engaging for children.

  • Enhancing Literacy and Comprehension: To improve reading and listening skills through stories that convey scientific ideas.

  • Encouraging Creativity: To inspire creative thinking by combining scientific inquiry with artistic expression.

Target Student Population:

College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

  • An interest or background in the topic would be helpful.
  • Interested parties should have basic computer skills such as browsing web pages . 

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

The book focuses on collecting children´s stories on their journey in finding the interconnectedness of science and art. The stories outstandingly craft the relationship between aspects of science found in routine activities and the art of expressing themselves through writing.  

The material demonstrates high content quality through:

  • Accurate Scientific Concepts: Each story incorporates correct scientific information, ensuring educational integrity.

  • Educational Significance: By merging STEM with the Arts, the material addresses the growing need for interdisciplinary learning.

  • Alignment with Curriculum: The stories can complement existing curricula, providing alternative methods to teach scientific principles.

  • Foundation for Advanced Learning: The narratives introduce fundamental concepts that serve as building blocks for more complex topics.

  • Addressing Difficult Concepts: Challenging scientific ideas are presented in story formats, making them more accessible and less intimidating for young learners

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

The book graciously presents situations where science can be applied. The use of stories that include a science situation component makes understanding certain nature procedures easier

The material has significant potential to enhance teaching and learning:

  • Clear Objectives: Each story is designed with specific learning goals, making it easy for educators to align them with lesson plans.

  • Engagement: The narrative format captures students' attention, promoting better retention of scientific concepts.

  • Versatility: The material's adaptability allows it to be used in various instructional contexts, catering to diverse learning styles.

  • Skill Development: Students develop both scientific literacy and creative skills, benefiting from a well-rounded educational experience.

  • Ease of Assignment Creation: Educators can effortlessly design activities around the stories, such as discussions, art projects, or experiments.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

The material is user-friendly for both teachers and students:

  • Instructions: Clear guidelines are provided for utilizing the stories and audiobooks effectively.

  • Layout: The consistent and intuitive design ensures that users can navigate the material without confusion.

  • Accessibility: The inclusion of both text and audio formats caters to different learning preferences and needs.

  • Technical Reliability: The platform is stable, with all links and media functioning correctly.

  • Minimal Support Required: The straightforward interface allows users to engage with the content independently, reducing the need for additional assistance.

"Humanizing Science through STEAM Challenges" is a valuable resource that effectively combines STEM education with the Arts. Its thoughtful design and content quality make it a versatile tool for enhancing interdisciplinary learning in various educational contexts.

Other Issues and Comments:

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons:

License

Humanizing Science through STEAM Challenges Copyright © 2021 by E.J. Bahng and John M. Hauptman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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