ADVANCING STEAM EDUCATION TOWARDS TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The paper examined the contributions of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education towards technological breakthrough for sustainable development. STEAM education provides solution to the problem of technological development in Nigeria by inculcating the right technological skills and knowledge in learners at different levels of education in order to attain desired technological development. The concepts of STEAM, sustainable development, nexus between STEAM education and sustainable development, the benefits of STEAM education, strategies of teaching STEAM education and the challenges facing STEAM education towards achieving technological breakthrough were discussed. It was concluded that STEAM education can be used to equip individuals with a lot of skills, knowledge and can also create an enabling environment to sustain development for the achievement of technological breakthrough. The study recommended among others that the curriculum of related subjects should be reviewed and restructured to incorporate technical skills so as to reflect the current technological needs, STEAM teachers need to liaise with industries to develop STEAM curricula that are relevant to the aspirations of the nation to attain high technological development stage. Also, means of sustaining STEAM should be given attention.