STEAM methodology in rural development projects: the transdisciplinary approach to solving rural problems

Abstract

This presentation aims to examine, from a theoretical perspective, the potential of the STEAM methodology (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) as a transdisciplinary model for addressing local issues in rural development contexts. The study is based on a critical review of the scientific literature related to the STEAM approach, its integration, and its adaptation to territories with structural, cultural, and technological limitations. It argues that STEAM, beyond being an educational strategy, can be configured as an epistemic framework that connects schools, scientific knowledge, and community transformation. The methodology employed was documentary in nature, based on the analysis of national and international academic sources, including scholarly articles, systematized educational experiences, and regulatory frameworks on rural research. The findings were organized into three key areas: conceptual foundations of the STEAM approach, opportunities and challenges in its rural implementation, and research models applied to specific territories. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that the STEAM methodology holds high educational value when adapted from a contextualized, flexible, and inclusive perspective. Furthermore, it emphasizes that its effectiveness in rural settings depends on the ability of researchers to rethink their practices, foster collaborative ties, and conceive the research project as a tool for social transformation. The study recommends deepening STEAM frameworks that integrate transdisciplinarity with the sociocultural particularities of rural environments.