Roundtable Discussion: Strengthening STEAM Engagement for Future Generations

On January 25, a significant milestone for STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) in Sweden took place. Åsa Johansen, Director of Women in Tech Sweden, participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Sweden. The event marked the conclusion of a project initiated by Anastasiia Klonova, funded by the U.S. Department of State through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The project aimed to spark interest in STEAM among children aged 6–12, particularly in suburban areas of Stockholm and Kungsbacka.

From Pilot Project to the Next Chapter

Over the autumn, the project engaged more than 150 children and parents through interactive workshops and experiment stations. The goal was not only to inspire children to explore STEAM but also to help parents understand how to nurture and support their children’s newfound curiosity.

“It’s about creating a spark and ensuring it doesn’t fade away,” was a recurring theme throughout the discussion. The conversation focused on how initiatives like this can be scaled and integrated into a broader ecosystem to reach more children and make STEM subjects more accessible and inclusive.

Challenges and Solutions

The roundtable identified several key challenges and opportunities for progress:

• Role Models and Representation: Children need to be inspired by diverse role models who showcase the variety within STEM careers and how creativity and innovation intersect with technology.
• Clear Pathways: It’s essential to create a roadmap for parents and children, guiding them on how to further explore STEAM interests.
• Beyond the Classroom: Many insights highlighted that inspiration and engagement often occur outside of the classroom, in social and creative settings.
• Ecosystem and Collaboration: Greater collaboration between various stakeholders – from schools and companies to organizations like Women in Tech – is needed to build a platform for scaling successful initiatives and coordinating efforts.

The Future of STEAM

The discussion brought forth valuable reflections and actionable ideas. Among them was the importance of empowering educators with access to concrete tools and professional development, as well as the need to destigmatize subjects like math and technology to reach a wider audience.

“Small, simple efforts are enough to spark interest, but they must be accessible to everyone and followed up to ensure long-term impact,” one participant emphasized.

Moving Forward

Thanks to the support of the U.S. Embassy and the active participation of various stakeholders, the pilot project has already laid a strong foundation. The next step involves compiling the project’s findings and identifying concrete initiatives that can foster a more inclusive and inspiring future for STEAM education.

Women in Tech Sweden will continue to be a part of this important work, aiming to ensure that more children, regardless of their background, are given the opportunity to explore and shape the future of science and technology.