A team of lecturers from the Early Childhood Education (PGPAUD) program at UPI Purwakarta recently returned from a networking event hosted by The University of Sheffield (TUoS). This event is part of the ongoing collaboration that began in 2023 between UPI Purwakarta and the University of Sheffield, funded by the British Council’s UK/ID Going Global Partnership Grant. Organized by Louise J. Kay from TUoS, the event brought together academics from various countries, including Australia, the UK, Indonesia, Italy, Nigeria, and Pakistan, to discuss and share experiences on makerspaces and STEAM-based educational approaches.
The UPI team, consisting of Finita Dewi, Suci Utami Putri, Tia Citra Bayuni, and Dini Yuliani, a teacher from UPI Purwakarta’s PAUD Labschool, presented their implementation of STEAM learning for Early Childhood Education by integrating Folktale with Maker Pedagogy, using the Indonesian folklore “Legend of Lake Toba and Samosir Island” as an innovative teaching medium.
During the presentation, the UPI team showcased the collaborative efforts between lecturers and Labschool teachers in designing and implementing learning activities that incorporate STEAM elements into the folklore. Finita Dewi emphasized that one of the main goals of this project is to introduce young children to Indonesian culture through folktales while developing their STEAM skills. Suci Utami Putri highlighted that the success of STEAM learning heavily depends on how teachers can design differentiated learning to stimulate each child’s potential optimally through the process of making projects. Tia Citra Bayuni added that the learning process allows children the freedom to create and practice various cardboard joining techniques as part of Maker Pedagogy.
Dini Yuliani, reflecting on her experience as a teacher implementing STEAM learning, noted that involving children in discussions about their projects and giving them the freedom to choose what they want to create can potentially develop various essential skills. These include cognitive, language, motor, and artistic skills, as well as fostering a sense of responsibility, discipline, and teamwork.
The UPI team’s presentation was highly praised by other participants, who recognized that integrating folklore into STEAM learning provides an enjoyable and educational experience for children. The collaboration between UPI lecturers and Labschool teachers successfully created a learning environment that supports the development of critical skills necessary for children’s futures.
This event not only strengthened UPI’s international relationships but also demonstrated UPI’s commitment to developing innovative teaching methods that can be applied in various educational contexts. Through active participation in events like this, UPI continues to strive to enhance the quality of education and make a significant contribution to the global education community.