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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.