This study attempted to propose a theoretical model for STEAM education, entitled to the Ewha-STEAM education model, which could provide more concrete guidelines for science educators and curriculum developers to execute STEAM ideas. We identified key knowledge and key competencies to nurture future creative/convergent human resources. Key knowledge included an understanding of core ideas cutting across traditional disciplinary boundaries as well as the nature of different disciplines. And additionally, key competencies implied such abilities as to explore the scientific world, to resolve problems, and to communicate and collaborate with others. We also added creativity and character as an essential part of key competencies. In order to provide more specific guidelines when developing, implementing, and evaluating STEAM curriculum, we suggested three elements of convergence to consider: 1) unit of convergence (i.e. concept/skills, problem/phenomenon, activity), 2) degree of convergence (i.e. multi-disciplinary, inter-disciplinary, extra-disciplinary), and 3) context of convergence (i.e. personal, societal, global). It is expected that the Ewha-STEAM education model would contribute towards diverse education communities understanding the direction of STEAM education and its educational potentials.
In this study, we investigated scientists' perception of imagination and explored characteristics of scientific imagination. For this, we found out conceptions and characteristics based on literatures which related to imagination. We recruited eight distinguished Korean scientists who have rich research experiences by using Snowball sampling for in-depth interviews (60-90 minutes). All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. From the analysis of interview data, we identified their perceptions of imagination and the nature of scientific imagination which scientists reflect on during their research work. Semi-structured interview protocol was focused on: 1) how scientists perceive 'imagination' and 2) how scientists perceive the role of imagination in their scientific research. As results, we found out that scientists agreed that imagination plays an important role in scientific research process and they perceived imagination as an intrinsic part of human life. The study also indicated that participants have modern viewpoint about imagination. Moreover, we uncovered three characteristics of imagination in the research process. 1) Curiosity and interest have been a driving force for scientists' imagination. 2) When scientists use the imagination, they can be more creative during their research. 3) Imagination contemplated realistic possibilities based on the scientific knowledge, and produced the new ones. Educational implications for utilization of scientific imagination were also suggested.
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