Welcome into the SteamCity experimentation hub

The SteamCity project aims to stimulate scientific inquiry in schools by developing a range of interdisciplinary projects that combine societal challenges encountered by Learning Cities as defined by UNESCO, with STEAM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). The primary objective is to establish a stronger connection between STEAM topics and the concept of smart cities, empowering students to actively contribute to the sustainability and well-being of their environment. To achieve this, the project will provide extensive resources and materials across five key clusters identified as core topics of the territories’ development. Through this commitment, the SteamCity project inspires and motivates students to explore, innovate, and create impactful solutions for the future.

In the context of SteamCity, a cluster refers to a specific area or domain of focus that is aligned with the policies and priorities of the city. Each cluster represents a key aspect of urban planning in connection with the challenges of smart and learning territories. The clusters in the SteamCity project include governance and citizenship, environment and well-being, mobility, energy efficiency, and artificial intelligence.

By organizing the project into clusters, SteamCity aims to address multiple dimensions of urban development and ensure a systemic approach to citizen science. Incorporated into the secondary school curriculum, they give the opportunity to students to develop critical thinking skills, collaborative abilities, and a sense of active citizenship. They learn to ask questions, gather and analyze data, interpret findings, communicate their ideas effectively, and create impactful solutions, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

5 themes to inspire STEAM activities

Cluster 1. Governance & Citizenship

The first cluster refers to governance & citizenship, aiming to promote active citizenship and inclusive decision-making among young people, through an agile approach that encourages critical thinking and engagement with various aspects of a learning city. Teaching agile thinking to young people poses challenges that are aligned with the SteamCity approach: overcoming fixed mindsets, countering memorization-focused education towards more creativity, overcoming the limited exposure to diverse ideas and experiences and addressing the fear of failure when experimenting. To tackle these challenges effectively, promoting a growth mindset and incorporating creativity into the curriculum is crucial. In addition, this cluster is crucial as a basis for the project implementation, as it gives an opportunity to question data governance and usages, to avoid living the experiments as simply data-driven projects because of experimenting with sensors. Encouraging students to understand data limitations sharpens their critical thinking abilities and prepares them for real-world decision-making. By interpreting data in context and addressing potential errors, students become skilled at enhancing data quality. This educational approach also sensitizes students to ethical considerations in data collection and analysis, enabling them to conduct high-quality research and make informed judgments.

Example of SteamCity activities in Cluster #1 - SteamCity Brick by Brick - A Lego Scrum challenge

Lego Scrum is a modified version of the Scrum framework that uses Lego bricks as a visual aid to facilitate the planning and execution of Agile projects. It combines the principles of Scrum with the creative and tactile nature of Lego, promoting collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills. Lego Scrum is a fun and engaging way to introduce Agile principles and practices to teams. It encourages creativity, collaboration, and active participation, making the Scrum process more interactive and memorable. Within SteamCity, we offer the use of the Lego Scrum approach for students to build their own dream city. This approach integrates urban planning constraints and an agile approach to improving it, allowing for the integration of new services, understanding planning challenges, constructing based on other people's visions and choices, and learning from mistakes.

Example of SteamCity activities in Cluster #1 - Data vs. Context: The Citizen Challenge - An easy game for approaching the challenges of data-driven projects

The game aims to highlight how data can be incomplete or misinterpreted when isolated from the broader context in which citizen actions take place. This situation may arise during the SteamCity experiments, depending on how the experiments are conceived in the early inquiry stage and if students rely solely on data collected through sensors to make decisions about urban planning design choices. Participants play the role of engaged citizens in various actions, such as "Advocating for reducing air pollution in a city" or "Improving road safety in their neighbourhood using data on road accidents." For each event, participants receive a set of associated data, such as statistics, graphs, or reports, and must make decisions based on the provided data, choosing the action they believe is most appropriate. After making their decisions, the complete context of each event is revealed, including information not included in the original data. Participants then discuss how having knowledge of the complete context could have influenced their decisions and how data alone can sometimes be misleading. This game demonstrates that data collection and analysis must always be contextualized to be useful in citizen actions. It encourages participants to recognize that understanding the complete context is essential for making informed decisions, even when data is available.

Cluster 2. Environment & Well-Being

The second cluster of the SteamCity Project, "Environment & Well-being," focuses on the integration of environmental considerations and health principles within learning cities as environmental quality directly impacts the well-being of residents and contributes to the creation of healthier and happier communities. It encompasses aspects such as promoting green spaces, clean air, and eco-friendly practices, all of which are essential for fostering a sustainable urban environment. Within the "Environment & Well-being" cluster, the emphasis is on creating conducive learning environments in which students can act as active citizens and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to address pressing environmental issues. By doing so, this cluster aligns perfectly with global efforts to combat climate change and encourages active participation in building sustainable and resilient urban spaces. Achieving a balance between environmental conservation and urban growth while ensuring the well-being of people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds is a challenge that we want the students to understand and undertake through this cluster. It underscores a sense of global responsibility and the significance of community engagement.

Example of SteamCity activities in Cluster #2 - Decibel Detectives

This activity aims to investigate the correlation between noise levels and learning abilities in a controlled environment which is the classroom. It involves the use of noise sensors, such as sound level meters or acoustic sensors, for recording noise levels over a specified period within their classroom environment. Completing the collection of data from sensors, regular surveys are conducted after each class to assess students' well-being, incorporating qualitative assessments. The collected data from both the noise sensors and the surveys is then analyzed at the conclusion of the experiment. This systematic approach, leveraging sensor technology and integrating qualitative evaluation, allows for a comprehensive examination of how noise levels in educational settings may affect students' overall well-being and, by extension, their learning capabilities. By focusing on noise levels within educational settings, the activities offer a microcosm of urban noise issues to make the students think of this specific challenge at the urban level. With an easy setting, the protocol can help in understanding how noise affects individuals' health and well-being, which can be extrapolated to the general urban population. Noise-related stress and its consequences on mental and physical health can be studied.

Example of SteamCity activities in Cluster #2 - Light vs. Zzz - The Great Sleep Battle

This activity investigates the correlation between night light pollution and the quality of sleep in urbanized areas on living beings. To achieve this, easy-to-build individual devices equipped with light sensors will be created to measure the level of night light in each of the students’ neighbourhoods. The data collected from the sensors’ implementation will be mapped to represent the level of light captured per neighbourhood. In parallel, qualitative assessments will be made to evaluate the quality of sleep among residents in these areas. By combining sensor data with qualitative insights, the activity aims to draw conclusions about the diverse levels of light pollution in different urban zones and their potential effects on sleep quality.

Cluster 3. Mobility

The third cluster in the SteamCity approach focuses on mobility. Efficient transportation systems are crucial for urban connectivity and mobility, along with effective regulation, play key roles in the development of learning and smart cities. Well-planned and regulated mobility systems reduce traffic congestion and emissions, leading to cleaner and healthier urban environments. This is crucial for residents' well-being and cognitive performance. Smart regulation of mobility promotes safety and accessibility, allowing individuals of all abilities to access facilities and services. Efficient transportation networks enhance economic opportunities within these cities by attracting businesses and fostering innovation. Eventually, they ensure convenient access to educational institutions for our students, enabling them to meet with friends, teachers, researchers and citizens across their territories to commute efficiently and facilitating knowledge exchange, collaboration and social cohesion. SteamCity is willing to explore this topic across the diverse challenges it encounters: innovative transportation solutions, such as electric and autonomous vehicles, regulation towards the reduction of congestion and emissions, and accessibility and affordability for all citizens.

Example of SteamCity activities in Cluster #3 - The Ethics Highway: Are We Driving in the Right Direction?

This activity delves into the ethics surrounding self-mobility, seeking to determine what is considered ethical within this context and whether there are universally accepted principles. To achieve this, a questionnaire is designed to gauge the perspectives of educators and learners regarding ethical issues related to self-mobility. The questionnaire is administered to participants from various national backgrounds. The objective is to explore whether nationality plays a role in shaping individuals' views on ethical self-mobility practices and whether there are discernible variations in the responses based on cultural differences.

Example of SteamCity activities in Cluster #3 - Smart Objects Safari - Involve students in the design of smart objects

This activity aims to provide guidelines for the co-designing of smart objects with students i.e. intelligent objects capable of perceiving the external environment through inputs, processing observed data and executing actions through actuators. Smart objects can also interact with each other or with humans. It focuses on co-designing intelligent objects capable of perceiving their surroundings, processing data, and taking actions in the context of a smart city environment. Students are encouraged to explore the structure of these smart objects and how they interact with the external environment, fostering creativity and innovation in the realm of smart technology.

Cluster 4. Energy Efficiency

The fourth SteamCity cluster is dedicated to energy, with a focus on energy efficiency, energy consumption and renewable sources. These aspects are pivotal in the field of smart and learning cities. A reliable energy supply is essential to power institutions, facilities, and digital infrastructure that underpins cities, ensuring uninterrupted access to services and resources, including knowledge. Energy efficiency not only reduces operational costs but also minimizes the environmental footprint, contributing to cleaner and more sustainable urban environments. The integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, promotes energy resilience, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and sets an example for sustainable practices, aligning with global climate goals. Smart energy management and regulation play a crucial role in optimizing energy usage and distribution, enhancing the overall sustainability and resilience of these cities.

Example of SteamCity activities in Cluster #4 - Keeping It Toasty, One Miniature at a Time

This experiment aims to assess the influence of diverse building insulation materials on indoor temperature using temperature sensors and miniature building models. By selecting a range of insulation materials such as foam board, fibreglass, or newspaper, students can create miniature building models designed to represent rooms with and without insulation and collect data on how different insulation materials impact a room's thermal performance. This practical exploration enhances their understanding of insulation's crucial role in maintaining indoor comfort and promoting energy-efficient practices. Good insulation acts as a thermal barrier, reducing the transfer of heat between the interior and exterior of a building. This leads to reduced energy consumption, lower utility costs, and a more comfortable indoor environment, all of which contribute to improved energy efficiency and sustainability.

Example of SteamCity activities in Cluster #4 - Shine Smart, Shine Bright - Optimisation of light usage during daylight hours

The goal of this activity is to investigate energy-efficient street lighting. Students will learn how to detect ambient light levels and control both indoor and outdoor lighting to save energy during daylight hours. To grasp the concept, they will begin with indoor lighting, using lux meters to measure light intensity in different spaces. Afterwards, they will shift to outdoor settings, exploring how urban street lighting affects energy use and safety through qualitative urban cartography of light usage. This comprehensive approach provides practical insights into light optimization and energy conservation.

Cluster 5. Artificial Intelligence

The last cluster of the SteamCity systemic approach is dedicated to Artificial intelligence (AI) and the integration of new technologies in the evolution of learning and smart cities. By exploring AI and new technologies, students not only acquire practical knowledge but also develop a forward-looking mindset. They become well-prepared individuals ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the digital age, making meaningful contributions to their communities and the world at large. In the project, this cluster is of major importance and impacts all the other topics approached. Indeed, AI fosters innovation in research, offering advanced data analysis tools and automation for scientific endeavours. AI empowers cities to harness data-driven insights, optimize resource allocation, and enhance the quality of life for their residents. By leveraging AI's capabilities in data analysis, predictive modelling, and automation, smart cities can efficiently manage infrastructure, transportation, energy consumption, and public services. Moreover, AI-driven learning cities adapt and evolve based on real-time data, fostering innovation, education, and sustainability. This synergy between AI and urban environments not only enhances efficiency but also promotes inclusivity, resilience, and a sustainable future for urban dwellers. They can make urban environments safer, more efficient, and responsive to citizen needs, creating smarter, more livable cities. However, they encompass several issues that should be raised to and by students, especially those linked to the ethical and responsible use of AI.

Example of SteamCity activities in Cluster #5 - AI Odyssey - DataWalk in the city

Artificial Intelligence is more and more present in the cities we live in, although it may not always be apparent. The experiment's core consists of organizing a ‘data walk’, where students walk around their school/city, and look for sensors that may be used to process data and feed AI systems (cameras, microphones, cell phone towers, electric scooters, …). Students are encouraged to take pictures of the different devices they find. Back in the classroom, students try to determine whether the devices collect personal data, who the device’s owners are, and how the data may be used by the owners of the devices.

Example of SteamCity activities in Cluster #5 - Bot Buddy Adventure - Designing a Chatbot for Urban Fun

A conversational agent, often referred to as a chatbot or virtual assistant, is a computer program designed to engage in natural language conversations with users. It utilizes various algorithms and language processing techniques to understand and respond to user queries or commands, providing information, assistance, or performing tasks. In this activity, we propose that students create a self-sustaining conversational agent. This requires expertise in speech recognition, natural language processing, and text-to-speech technologies. With the right combination, users can interact with the conversational agent in a natural and intuitive way. Through the protocol, students will aim to answer the following request: “Visitors are looking for information about available leisure activities around them. You are going to develop an autonomous conversational agent to inform them and engage them to interact with the city”.

The Synergy of these topics in Learning Cities

The interactions between these five clusters in creating Smart and Learning Cities are intricate and interdependent, underscoring the importance of addressing multiple issues simultaneously. Each cluster contributes a unique dimension to the city's transformation, and their synergy enhances the overall effectiveness of urban development initiatives. Governance & Citizenship lays the groundwork for informed decision-making and community engagement. It nurtures a culture of active citizenship that transcends traditional roles and empowers individuals to participate meaningfully in the city's development. This mindset shift, driven by education and critical thinking, is vital for addressing complex challenges, including those related to the environment, mobility, energy, and technology. The Environment & Well-being cluster emphasises the importance of fostering a sustainable urban environment. In turn, this contributes to the well-being of citizens, improving cognitive performance and enhancing their ability to engage actively in the city's governance. Mobility and Energy play a critical role in connecting residents to these spaces and services and should participate in environmental quality by reducing emissions and congestion for a healthier urban environment. Eventually, the integration of AI and new technologies, as explored in the fifth cluster, acts as a catalyst that amplifies the impact of the other clusters. AI enables data-driven decision-making, enhances governance and mobility management, optimises energy consumption and promotes environmental sustainability. In essence, these clusters do not operate in isolation but rather reinforce one another, creating a systemic approach to urban development. By addressing education, governance, environment, mobility, energy, and technology in tandem, these cities are poised to become beacons of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, providing a better quality of life for all residents and paving the way for a brighter urban future.