From STEM to STEAM - Using technology to put the A for Art into STEAM
Sisältö englanniksi
We are the SääToSuccess working group, which includes Basti Kuhz and Jussi Alaraasakka. We were selected as the 2025 STEAM Resident artists with our workshop program “TECH//ART – Connect//Together”! In the workshops, kids learned to use various technologies provided to create art together and put the emphasis on the creative process rather than the final outcome.
STEAM Residency included a workshop in Kello school, Oulu and another workshop in Aveiro, Portugal. From Aveiro one artist was selected also to the program: Joana Cancela, who worked with local schoolkids by making stop-motion videos. Co-operation included music and soundscapes produced in our workshops to be used in their videos.
Workshop in Kello - Oulu, Finland
In 2025 February-May during 7 days - with the 5th graders of Kello School, we created media art by recording nature sounds and generating synthetic sounds, then turning these into small sound compositions.
Afterwards, the children drew in 3D using a simple VR app, following the feel of the sounds – from which we produced short videos a few minutes in length.
In the beginning of the workshop, we set ambitious goals:
- Adapt our workshop methods to different educational systems and cultural contexts
- Co-develop new approaches to make technology more accessible and meaningful to youth
- Learn how artistic activity can be better integrated into education to keep creativity at the forefront of multidisciplinary learning
- Grow as educators, workshop creators, and artists – while contributing meaningfully to students’ learning experiences
The workshop was a great success, as the children didn’t want to go out for a break and asked for more days like this!
Furthermore, the Aveiro teachers and their local artist Joana visited Kello on 21.03.2025
They participated and observed our workshop, tested VR and music software. Joana also had small groups as a part of the day: Kids drew feelings and emotions for some sounds we had previously produced.
The Portuguese also visited the frozen sea with us on a beautiful sunny day. It was very nice!
Workshop in Aveiro, Portugal
As part of the STEAM residency, we took part in an exchange to the project’s partner school in Aveiro, Portugal on 07.10. - 10.10.
Although the available time was quite a bit shorter, we gave the same style workshop to an Aveiro based school class and the results and opinions of the students and teachers were alike to the ones from Kello. Joana and the teachers were super-supportive, and everything was arranged so nicely for us. After just 2 days and small shyness in the beginning, we parted with big emotions and a lot of new friends we now have in Aveiro 🙂 Also we got introduced to Aveiro Tech Week programme, and visited many interesting locations; Lego Hackathon, University etc. We actually stayed a bit longer as there was a light / tech -festival Prisma the following weekend. The week’s concept is actually the same as here in Oulu: In November we have the AVARA Art&Tech -event, followed by LUMO-light festival.
No matter the cultural background, having fun and making “whatever” artistic works with the technology, seems to be an important and meaningful way to introduce new ideas, ways of thinking and learning skills to kids. We also believe strongly that it is crucial to teach youngsters about creating with the technology, so that more and more start using it for other things than “swipe & scroll”.
All in all, this has been a wonderful experience. A big thanks goes to Paula Vorne, Maikki Manninen, Joana Cancela, Minna Sarvela, Sebastian Jeker, Daniela Queiros and the whole Aveiro team!!
About the creators of the TECH//ART workshops
Basti Kuhz is a technology artist with both a Master’s and an Engineering degree. Since 2022, he has developed workshops, installations, and educational performances that combine 3D printing and music using custom-developed software scripts.
Jussi Alaraasakka has a strong background in music technology. Since 1993, he has worked as a DJ, sound designer, musician, and workshop facilitator. He is currently exploring VR/AR applications and the use of brainwaves in sound art and music production.
Our goal is to inspire the younger generation to use technology artistically and take their first steps toward developing and creating tech applications.
