Schools shouldn’t just aim to impart knowledge on their students. They should prepare them with the right skills to succeed in life, whether that’s teaching them new skills to become productive members of society, or providing them with expertise that will prove useful in the workforce when they age.

With this goal in mind, Swiss International Scientific School Dubai has enhanced its English International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme to offer STEAM lessons for PreK-Grade 5 students. The newly enhanced programme shall begin in the next school year on September 2020, and represents an evolution of its existing English+ programme.

The enhanced English+ programme is highlighted by the introduction of STEAM (Science, Technology, Education, Arts, Mathematics) education, which is implemented in a project-based framework. This framework is taught in a cohesive continuum from Pre-KG to Grade 5, with each student getting a personalised starting point from which they can build their knowledge and skills in the way that is best for them.

The new STEAM programme includes a variety of unique resources, such as modules on design process and design thinking, classes that enhance computational thinking, and study units on the scientific method. By integrating this with education technology, SISD aims to equip pupils with critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills that will be useful in the 21st century workforce. Students will also complete STEAM-centric projects to hone and demonstrate their skills in the field.

Norbert Foerster, SISD’s Head of School, underscores the importance of this drive for innovation in the face of a rapidly-changing world and an unpredictable context. “The world is constantly changing with the global pandemic bringing its own changes and challenges. Thanks to our modern and innovative teaching methods and cutting-edge campus, we have been able to quickly shift and adapt our digital offering.

“With our new STEAM programme, we want to take our Scientific DNA to the next level and further diversify the way we teach to increase personalization. Our students will be more creative, they will further enhance their critical thinking skills and recognize the intersection of art, science, technology, engineering, and math.”

SISD’s English+ STEAM programme is an enhancement of the International Baccalaureate Early Years and Primary Years Programmes. Students are taught primarily in English, with additional lessons and immersion in Arabic and French or German, taught by a diverse faculty composed of native speakers. The programme conforms to several international standards of high-tech education, including the Next Generation Science Standards, International Standards for Technology Education, and UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development.

For more information on Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, visit www.sisd.ae.