IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE STEAM TECHNOLOGIES TO DEVELOP THE CHILDREN`S SUCCESS: AN EMPIRICAL RESEARCH IN PRESCHOOL EDUCATION

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to identify the pedagogical potential of STEAM technology in the
development of success (personal and team) of preschool children in interdisciplinary activities
(cognitive-mathematical, LEGO-constructive, social and communicative). As the main methods
of empirical research we chose conversations with preschoolers about the products of design
activity (robots, bridges, communication machines, success, artistic image), the method of
problem-search situations, children's case studies, modeling, mini-projects and constructions
according to the model, diagram, drawing, experimentation (graphic, linear, volumetric,
descriptive), graphic drawings, computer graphics. The following research results are presented
in the article: an interdisciplinary program for preschool education “Perceiving the World”;
scientific-based results of using STEAM technology in the development of the children’s
personal and team success; a developing effect of STEAM technology in cognitivemathematical, LEGO-constructive, social and communicative activities; products of children's
activities are described: projects, robots; the criteria and indicators of personal and team success
of preschoolers are presented. An empirical research led to the conclusion, that the pedagogical
potential of STEAM technology lies in various interdisciplinary discourses of the children's
activities (cognitive-mathematical, LEGO-constructive, social and communicative activities), in
methods of encouraging children to achieve personal or team success, in integration into the
activities’ types connected with the problem-search situations; in creating an event-driven
communication environment to ensure the personal and team success of preschoolers.