5 STEAM myths debunked

Sarah Hillyard
A teacher sat with students reading
Reading time: 4 minutes

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) sounds like an overwhelming combination of subjects to teach – and only suitable for expert educators. But the reality is doing STEAM is simpler than you think. Here are 5 common STEAM myths and the truth behind them. We also outline a number of simple activities you try with your students.

1. STEAM requires a lot of time

STEAM projects encourage curiosity, creativity and collaboration in the classroom – but they have a reputation for being preparation-heavy and for requiring a lot of teaching time and energy.

But to get the full benefit of STEAM, there’s no need to plan out a full-blown project that lasts a whole month. In fact, you might integrate just one STEAM lesson into your syllabus. Or a lesson could contain a one-off 10-minute STEAM challenge. 

Here are some easy, low-preparation challenges your classes can take part in: 

10-minute STEAM challenges:

  • Winter unit: How tall can you build a snowman using paper cups? 
  • Shapes theme: Using five toothpicks make a pentagon, two triangles, a letter of the alphabet. 
  • Bug project: Can you create a symmetrical butterfly?

2. You need fancy materials to do STEAM

The biggest misconception is around technology. When you think of STEAM, you might imagine you need apps, computers, tablets and robots to teach it successfully. It’s true that you will certainly find STEAM challenges out there that involve extensive supply lists, expensive equipment, knowledge of programming and robotics. 

However, in reality, you probably have everything you need already. Technology doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. It can refer to simple, non-electronic tools and machines, too. Think funnels, measuring cups and screwdrivers, for example. You can use low-cost regular classroom or household items and recyclable materials that learners' families can donate. Toilet paper rolls and cardboard boxes are very popular items in STEAM.

Here is a low-tech activity you can try: 

Combine engineering, art and math using cardboard and a pair of scissors

This challenge involves creating 3D self-portrait sculptures in the cubist style using only cardboard. First, teach about parts of the face by observing and analyzing some Cubist portraits (eg, explore Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso). Then have learners cut out cardboard shapes and make slits in them to attach together. They create their self-portrait sculptures by fitting the pieces together using the slits so that the final product will stand by itself. Display the self-portraits and talk about them.

3. STEAM is targeted to older learners

Young children are naturally curious about the world around them, and STEAM experiences begin very early in life. They explore with their senses and test their hypotheses about the world, just like scientists do. Much of their play is based on engineering skills, such as building houses with LEGO®  bricks. They learn to manipulate tools while they develop their fine motor skills and their awareness of non-electronic technology. They use dramatic play and enjoy getting their hands full of paint while engaged in art. They learn about maths concepts very early on, such as size (big and small toys), quantities of things, and even babies start using the word “more” if they’re still hungry. 

Check out this simple STEAM experiment to learn about plants and their needs. 

How do plants eat and drink? 

Have students put water and food dye in a pot. Put a white flower in the water. Ask students to guess what will happen. 

After a few days, students should check their flowers and observe how it has changed color. They must then record their results. Extend the experiment by asking if they can make their flowers two colors.

Example from English Code Student's Book

4. You have to be an expert to teach STEAM

Educators widely believed that teaching STEAM requires having expertise in all these disciplines. In reality, while some basic knowledge about the concepts and processes behind the challenges is ideal, it is up to you to decide what you feel comfortable teaching.

What’s really important is that the learners master the skills behind STEAM, that is collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and inquiry. Rather than being an expert, the teacher needs to facilitate learning and discovery. 

Here’s a simple activity to demonstrate this:

Building a ramp

In this activity, your students will build ramps to test how toys roll/slide down them. This activity covers the following disciplines:

  • Physics: the science involved in creating a stable structure and moving objects
  • Technology: using a simple machine that allows objects to move
  • Engineering and design: planning and building structures to achieve a result
  • Mathematics: reasoning about distance and numbers

Find out more about this ramp challenge in our next STEAM blog (coming soon). 

5. You either teach STEAM or teach your curriculum

Some teachers think that you have to stop teaching your regular lessons to do STEAM. However, this is not the case. It’s key to think of ways to connect the challenges with themes and units of work that you plan to teach and integrate them. STEAM can coexist with literacy programs, mindfulness programs or anything else you are teaching. 

Here’s an example:

Shadow projector project

If you’re teaching a unit on Space and Planets, make a shadow projector. 

Have learners cover one end of a cardboard tube with some thick transparent tape. They should then draw a star, planet, sun or moon on the tape with a permanent marker. Next, have them shine a flashlight through the tubes in your darkened classroom and describe the night sky. They can explore how to make the sky items bigger or smaller by moving the source of light.  

Read our posts 'How to improve literacy in the classroom' and 'How to teach students to be global citizens'.

Explore our courses and exams

More blogs from Pearson

  • A woman and man working together on laptop in library
    AI in Language Education: What educators should use (and what to avoid)
    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    AI is changing language classrooms fast, but not every tool adds value. The best teachers use AI as a partner, supporting planning, feedback and differentiation, while keeping key moments of teaching human.

    Here’s what works, what to avoid, and how to use AI responsibly in ESL classrooms.

    How AI is transforming language teaching

    AI is transforming how teachers work, but it doesn't replace them.

    At its best, AI enhances three core areas:

    • Planning efficiency: Generate lesson outlines, activities and scaffolding in minutes
    • Differentiation at scale: Adapt materials for mixed-level classrooms instantly
    • Feedback loops: Provide faster, more frequent feedback on writing and practice tasks

    But the key shift is pedagogical. AI aligns naturally with:

    • Learner-centered methods: Students engage more actively with adaptive content
    • Teaching like a coach: Teachers guide, refine and personalize rather than deliver everything directly
    • Modern teaching methodology: Blended, flexible and responsive instruction

    When used effectively, AI allows teachers to concentrate on the most important aspects of language learning: interaction, communication and human connection.

  • A woman smiling working on a laptop
    Studying in the USA? A fast at-home English test is now an option
    By Abi Fordham
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    If you’re a student planning to study in the USA, life probably feels a bit like having too many tabs open at once. University sites. Visa info. Messages from friends already abroad. And a growing list of things that all feel important.

    Somewhere in the middle of that is your English test.

    A test people trust for good reason

    For years, students have chosen PTE because it’s built to be trusted, backed by real expertise, research and quality. That’s why it’s become a familiar name for students planning to study abroad, and why institutions trust it too. That foundation hasn’t changed. What has changed is how students live, learn, and prepare today.

    Same roots, for different routes

    PTE Express originates from the same principles. Same values. Same attention. It’s simply tailored for a different kind of test taker at a specific point in their journey. If you’re aiming to study in the USA and need a quick, at-home English test, PTE Express is made to fit into your life rather than forcing you to reshape everything around a test date. And let’s address test anxiety because it’s a real concern.

    Many students worry about English tests. Not because they don’t know English, but because test situations can make things feel harder than they should be. Speaking to an examiner face‑to‑face can feel intimidating. Worrying about being misunderstood because of your accent is a real concern. Travelling to a test centre adds pressure before you even start. Sitting in an unfamiliar room can make nerves worse.

    That’s not a lack of ability. That’s just being human. While PTE Academic already addresses lots of these worries, we have gone a step further with PTE Express.

    Why at‑home testing can feel different

    One of the quiet benefits of an at‑home test is how much calmer it can feel. You’re in a familiar space. You control your environment. There’s no examiner in front of you, just you and the screen. For many students, that makes it easier to focus and show their real English, without the extra stress that comes from unfamiliar settings or face‑to‑face pressure. PTE Express was designed with this in mind: calm, considered, and supportive, while still being secure and trusted by institutions.

    When the USA is the plan

    If you already know the USA is your destination, things can start to feel more time‑sensitive. Deadlines get closer. Decisions feel heavier. You’re no longer exploring, you’re preparing your next move. PTE Express fits naturally here. It’s a fast, at‑home option for US study, built on the foundations of Pearson that students already trust, and delivered in a way that works for when life is busy and timelines are tight.

    A choice that actually reduces pressure

    The good news is, you don’t have to overthink this. If you want to keep your options open across different countries, there’s a trusted path in PTE Academic that supports that. If you’re focused on studying in the USA and want something fast, familiar and at home, there’s now an option designed for exactly that. No trade‑offs. No feeling like you’re cutting corners. Just choices that match different moments.

    Focus on what really matters

    Studying in the USA is a big step. It’s about independence, growth and starting something new. Your English test should feel like something that supports you quietly in the background, not something that adds more stress to an already intense moment. With PTE Express now live in most countries, including India, students heading to the USA have a calm, trusted at‑home option, built on foundations that have been relied on for years. And sometimes, feeling calm and confident is exactly what helps you do your best.  

  • Man sat outdoors holding a tablet smiling
    Understanding and managing technostress
    By Amy Malloy
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    What is technostress?

    If you find yourself constantly checking social media or feeling pressure to keep up with the latest technology, you may be experiencing technostress. It can show up in different ways, including difficulty focusing on everyday tasks, low motivation or mood, and anxiety around using technology. It even causes some people to avoid digital tools altogether.

    Technostress affects people differently, but at its core is a shared experience, as Chiapetta (2017) defines it: “Technostress is a syndrome that occurs when a person, subjected to information overload and continuous contact with digital devices, develops a state of stress.” This constant exposure to technology has only got more extreme since Chiapetta since defined the syndrome. As a result, technostress is something that more and more people are likely to experience.