Barcelona Zoo and the UPC bring STEAM methodology closer to biology teachers
The Barcelona Zoo hosted for the first time a training day in biology under the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) approach for secondary and high school teachers. The Bio-Steam Training took place at the Zoo on 26 April with the collaboration of the School of Engineering of Barcelona East (EEBE) of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia-BarcelonaTech (UPC), and in the framework of the STEAM project promoted by the same UPC and Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (BSM).
The Zoo brought together 45 teachers who teach biology-related subjects to broaden their educational background through different and broad educational techniques that go beyond the classroom and are based on an interest in science through technology. Throughout the day, four half-hour experimental workshops were held, in which different areas were worked on with biology as the backbone. The day included activities with proposals such as investigating yeast fermentations, the process of osmosis in cells, how to carry out experimental psychology experiments in the classroom, or studying the effect of social drugs with a microcrustacean.
The session was completed with two talks given by professionals from the sector. Maria Calsamiglia, PhD in Health Sciences, discussed other ways of introducing practices based on STEAM methodology in the school laboratory, and Miquel Pérez, biotechnologist and PhD in Science Didactics, explored the design of STEAM projects that promote links with science and have a social relevance.
One of the objectives of this training is to bring STEAM methodology closer to teachers in order to apply it to educational centres to encourage, through fun activities, scientific vocations with a special focus on critical thinking and gender equality.
The Zoo’s commitment to education
One of the strategic lines of the new model of the Barcelona Zoo is to reinforce its commitment to education, awareness and dissemination. To make this possible, one of the areas of work being promoted is the organisation of educational activities aimed at children, families and schools that promote knowledge about areas such as biology and the environment in order to raise awareness of the great challenges involved in the conservation of the planet’s biodiversity. Along these lines, the Zoo is the latest space in the city to join the STEAM project, which already includes the Olympic Ring, the Parc del Fòrum and the Tibidabo Amusement Park.