Boldness to Grow Together
According to Teacher Jaakko Määttä, STEAM in Oulu means the freedom to try and do “big things that can be difficult to script beforehand.” However, one thing is always needed.
Jaakko Määttä sits down at a school desk. We are in Kirkkokangas, at Oulujoki Elementary School where Määttä has taught Oulu’s children for over twenty years.
“My colleagues are suitably excited here; they keep a middle-aged man on the move”, Määttä laughs.
This year, Määttä’s class is full of sixth graders. He has taught the same children since grade three.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with the same group. I can see the development of the pupils as time progresses.”
In previous years, Määttä has also seen how new things in teaching have affected the students, learning, and development. It’s all about STEAM in Oulu.
Regardless of results, the work is always premium quality
For Määttä, STEAM in Oulu means the freedom to try and do.
“Big things that can be difficult to script beforehand”, Määttä describes.
An example, perhaps.
When Määttä studied in elementary school – which just so happens to be the very same Oulujoki School where he now teaches – group work always culminated with the same thing: red paperboard. I am forced to nod when Määttä guesses that many people share this memory from their school days.
Today, shared creation has a completely new meaning in the Oulujoki School and several daycare centres, elementary schools, middle schools, and upper secondary schools. The results are not the most significant, but the journey to the goal.
“The result can be utter garbage”, Määttä explains calmly. “What you did, what you learned, what you could have done differently, and what you learned with your friends are the most important things.”
Renovation squad and other stirring experiences
STEAM in Oulu means shared creation and learning, as well as combining different fields of learning, subjects, pedagogies, and technologies into wide study modules.
“It is a bold way to teach”, Määttä states.
The greatness of STEAM lies in many things according to Määttä. Firstly, creation, research, presentation, teaching others and learning from others are tightly connected to the journey and learning. Of course, with the teacher’s support and according to the curriculum.
Secondly, the journey usually ends up being very different than expected.
“I often do not make lesson plans at all. Only a goal we need to reach through trial and error.”
The third significant thing in STEAM according to Määttä, is that it diversely highlights the strengths and hidden talents of students. Especially students who might not be able to present their skills through traditional pen-and-paper tests can show off their strengths through STEAM.
"For example, our school has a renovation squad. A younger pupil might fix an older pupil’s bicycle. The pupil becomes stronger when they can guide other students. They are stirring experiences”, Määttä says.
Mastering your pencil case in peace
STEAM has been a journey to Jaakko Määttä himself. It began over ten years ago through the LEGO robot project in the Innokas learning network. Simultaneously, he was teaching class that had difficulties learning through traditional methods.
“By doing something completely different, we could achieve good learning results also in theory-heavy subjects”, Määttä explains.
Määttä brings up boldness again: boldness to seek new methods of teaching and learning. When the Principal of Oulujoki School at the time, Esko Silvola, suggested STEAM to Määttä, he had no idea what was coming.
“I thought there was nothing lose.”
From the very beginning, the excitement has been high and we have worked well together. Määttä compares the launch, results, and new funding to a start-up. He sends his colleagues the same message as his students:
“Don’t focus on mastering your pencil case immediately. STEAM means improving through doing.”
On top of boldness, you need trial and error. Also, it is good to remind yourself that development and learning are not waiting for you somewhere, they are always here and you will find them through working and journeying together.