STEM Hour: Integrating Arts into STEM for Meaningful Exploration

In early childhood, STEM learning builds on children’s prior knowledge, encourages collaboration, and nurtures creative thinking — making it a natural partner to the Arts.

The Arts encompass many modes of creative expression, including music, dance, movement, drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, and digital media. When combined with STEM, the Arts open empowering opportunities for children to explore, experiment, and express their ideas in diverse and meaningful ways.

In this STEM Hour, Dr. Jennifer Stevens-Ballenger and Chantelle Lynch will share insights from their “Learning in and through STEAM in Early Childhood” research project, which developed case studies exploring how educators can integrate the Arts within STEM across varied early learning settings.

Over 60 minutes, you will learn about how educators can support children’s emergent interests — such as building a cubby house — by weaving STEM and Arts concepts into these experiences and how integrated STEAM learning can unfold across a range of contexts from bush kinders to home environments.

In this STEM Hour, educators will explore:

• The educator’s role in supporting integrated STEAM learning experiences.
• The influence of learning environments on children’s engagement with STEAM.
• How the Arts can make STEM learning visible through creative documentation methods.
• How thoughtful design can foster inquiry, creativity, and meaningful connections.
• Common barriers to integrating STEM and the Arts — and practical strategies to overcome them.
• Real-world examples of STEAM learning in diverse early childhood contexts.

This session is designed for educators and teachers working with children aged 0-8 who are curious about how STEAM can enrich inquiry-based learning and foster creative exploration. While examples will focus on children aged 3-5 years, the session will include ideas and adaptations suitable for younger and older children.

This STEM Hour will be held on: 
Thursday 17 September 2026 
Time zones: 1-2pm (AEST), 11am-12pm (AWST), 12:30-1:30pm (ACST)

Purchasing a ticket allows you to tune in live or via a recording. While we strongly encourage live attendance, a recording will be shared via email following the event and can be viewed for 3 days.