Izobraževanje STEAM za inovativen pristop k trajnostnemu razvoju

Modern education is increasingly viewed through the lens of sustainable development, with a focus on pedagogical practices that foster competent, creative, and socially responsible individuals. The STEAM approach integrates science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics to foster creativity, critical thinking, and transdisciplinary problem-solving among learners. This approach directly contributes to education for sustainable development by enhancing the quality of education, gender equality, and innovation. The paper explores teacher education students’ awareness of STEAM, their attitudes toward its use, and their readiness to apply it in future teaching. A qualitative study was conducted through focus groups with students from various teacher education programmes (natural sciences, social sciences, and arts). Students’ attitudes were analysed, and the perceived benefits, obstacles, and needs for additional support in the implementation of STEAM were identified. The results reveal limited formal education about STEAM, but also a strong motivation among students to apply this approach, particularly in contexts that foster innovation, inclusion, and the connection of theoretical knowledge with real-life situations. Identified challenges include a lack of practical training, insufficient institutional support, and limited resources. Participants highlighted the need for greater integration of STEAM-related content in university curricula. In conclusion, the findings underline the necessity of systemic integration of STEAM education in teacher and preschool educator training programmes, as a key factor in developing sustainable educational practices. Supporting future teachers and educators in acquiring competencies for transdisciplinary learning and innovative teaching may be crucial for advancing education for sustainable development.