Introduction
The Pascal Institute is committed to offering its students educational programs that meet contemporary educational challenges and prepare them for the skills required in today’s and tomorrow’s world. With this in mind, our Curriculum Plan is enriched with a STEM lab dedicated to experimentation, hands-on learning, and the development of critical and creative thinking.
Purpose of the STEM Lab
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) lab is designed to:
- Foster active, hands-on learning in scientific and technological disciplines.
- Promote curiosity, creativity, and the ability to solve complex problems.
- Stimulate the development of computational thinking and digital skills through coding and robotics.
- Teach collaborative work and shared design.
- Strengthen the connection between theory and practice, making school a place of real experimentation.
- Encourage informed orientation toward technical-scientific study paths and the professions of the future.
Activities and Methodologies
In the STEM lab, middle and high school students will participate in interdisciplinary activities, structured into annual, modular programs:
- Coding and Computational Thinking: Use of block-based software and visual programming languages to develop control logic, algorithms, and automation.
- Educational Robotic: Design, construction, and programming robots using educational kits to consolidate learning through play and experimentation.
- Electronics and Technological Experimentation: Building simple electronic circuits and practical applications using sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers.
- Tinkering and Creative Prototyping: Building objects and practical solutions through the free use of recycled materials and basic tools, to develop inventiveness, manual skills, and independent design.
- Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing:
Particular attention will be paid to additive manufacturing and the educational potential of 3D printing. Students will be guided through all phases of the complete design process, starting from ideation and digital design to the actual creation of their object or system.
Through 3D printing, students will have the opportunity to:
- Learn how to transform an idea into a concrete project;
- Deepen their knowledge of 3D modeling techniques;
- Understand materials and additive manufacturing processes;
- Verify the functionality of the final product, analyzing its strengths and areas for improvement;
- Develop project analysis, review, and optimization skills.
This experience will allow students to follow the complete cycle of conception, design, implementation, and verification of simple or complex systems, thus developing engineering skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Teaching Approach
The STEM lab is based on innovative methodologies:
- Learning by Doing: learning through direct experience.
- Problem-Based Learning: solving real-world problems to develop transversal skills.
- Cooperative Learning: teamwork to promote collaboration, communication, and inclusion.
- Development of Divergent Thinking: encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and the search for alternative solutions.
Skills Development
The STEM curriculum contributes to the development of the following key European skills:
- Mathematical competence and basic skills in science and technology
- Digital competence
- Learning to learn
- Spirit of initiative and entrepreneurship
- Environmental awareness and responsibility (through reuse and sustainable design activities).
Inclusion and Personalization
The STEM lab is open and accessible to all students, with a particular focus on promoting excellence and supporting students with special educational needs, through personalized programs and inclusive strategies.
Conclusions
Through the STEM lab, the Pascal Institute aims to offer its students a dynamic, inclusive, and motivating educational environment, combining knowledge and know-how, theory and practice, scientific skills and the development of creative thinking, to educate aware, curious citizens ready to build the future.
