Stamatios Papadakis

Work place: Department of Preschool Education, University of Crete, Greece

E-mail: stpapadakis@uoc.gr

Website: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3184-1147

Research Interests:

Biography

Stamatios Papadakis, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of educational technology, emphasising mobile learning, at the Department of Preschool Education at the University of Crete, Greece. His scientific and research interests include the study of mobile learning, especially on the use of smart mobile devices and their accompanying mobile applications (apps) in Preschool and Primary Education, focusing on the development of Computational Thinking and students’ understanding of numbers. Furthermore, his research interests include ICT in education, novice programming environments and teaching programming in Primary and Secondary Education (novice programmers).

Author Articles
Igniting Curiosity: The Role of STEAM Education in Enhancing Early Academic, Language Skills and Motivation for Science

By Ozgun Uyanik Aktulun Umit Unsal Kaya Ali Ibrahim Can Gozum Michail Kalogiannakis Stamatios Papadakis

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2024.05.01, Pub. Date: 8 Oct. 2024

The "Igniting Curiosity: A STEAM Journey for Young Minds" (IC-SJYM) program integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) into early childhood education to enhance linguistic and scientific engagement among 5 to 6-year-olds. This study uses a mixed-methods design to evaluate the program's effectiveness, utilizing the Kaufman Survey of Early Academic and Language Skills (K-SEALS) and the Teacher Rating Scale of Children's Motivation for Science (TRS-CMS), alongside qualitative feedback from educators. Results show that the experimental group, following the IC-SJYM program, demonstrated significant improvements in academic performance and motivation towards science compared to a control group with a traditional curriculum. Additionally, qualitative analyses highlight the program's positive impact on expressive language skills, innovative thinking, and a sustained interest in scientific inquiry. These findings suggest that an integrative STEAM curriculum can significantly enhance early learning experiences, advocating for its broader adoption. The IC-SJYM program's success in fostering intellectual curiosity and academic excellence underscores the critical role of STEAM in early childhood education and calls for further research into its potential to revolutionize educational paradigms for young learners.

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