Arab Educational Information Network

In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and complex global challenges, education systems are increasingly turning to (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) STEAM education to cultivate essential 21st-century skills. This study investigates the impact of STEAM education on students’ design thinking and problem-solving abilities in a school in Dubai. While global interest in STEAM integration has grown, limited research exists on its practical outcomes in the middle eastern educational landscape, particularly in the UAE. This research adopted a qualitative approach to explore how students and educators experience STEAM education in real classroom settings. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with the head of STEAM and subject teachers, focus group discussions with students, and classroom observations across grades 3, 7, and 10. These methods provided rich, contextual insights into how students engage with the design thinking process —ideation, prototyping, and testing—in interdisciplinary, hands-on learning environments. Findings revealed that students exhibited design-thinking and problem-solving behaviors at varying levels throughout the ideation, prototyping, and testing stages. The STEAM program helps students develop age-appropriate design thinking and critical problem-solving skills, fostering innovation and creativity skills that are needed for the future. However, challenges such as time constraints, varying teacher readiness, and limited access to resources were also identified. The study concludes that STEAM education can serve as a powerful framework for enhancing design thinking and problem-solving skills in school settings. It highlights the need for sustained professional development and institutional support to maximize the potential of STEAM approaches in diverse educational contexts such as Dubai. These insights can inform policymakers, educators, and curriculum designers aiming to foster innovation-driven learning environments across the region. (Author's abstract)