From March 25th to 26th, the 3rd STEDM Education Forum co-organized by Beijing Normal University and Tongji University was held by the School of Future Design at Zhuhai. The forum took advantage of the global FABLAB digital manufacturing to combine the regional resources of Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta. With the theme of "design-led science and innovation education theory and practice", the forum explored the central role of design education in leading the intersection of STEDM disciplines in primary and secondary schools, innovating the eco-chain of education. The forum brought together famous scholars and industry experts from China, the United States, Germany, Italy, Korea and other countries and regions, and gathered more than 100 primary and secondary school teachers and innovation education practitioners across China to discuss the practice and thinking of design-led science and innovation education through presentations and workshops.

In the speech at the Opening Ceremony of the forum, Yang Nianlu, Executive Vice President of the Chinese Society of Education, expressed that the STEDM Education Forum facilitates the joint efforts of universities, primary and secondary schools to promote the transformation of basic education models, which is conducive to exploring an effective path for cultivating innovative and top-notch talents.

Wei Wei, Vice Chairperson of the Beijing Normal University Council and Chairperson of the Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai University Council, stated that design-led science and technology innovation education not only is of great significance in achieving the transformation from subject-oriented education to literacy-oriented education so as to cultivate composite talents with innovative abilities, but also plays an important role in promoting the development of the national industrial economy, the improvement of people’s aesthetic appreciation and the prosperity of social and cultural development. Beijing Normal University holds the STEDM Education Forum to fully leverage the advantages of theoretical innovation and distinctive disciplinary support, strengthen school-school, school-region and school-enterprise collaboration, and promote education modernization for the purpose of an education-powered country.

Wei Wei, Vice Chairperson of the Beijing Normal University Council and Chairperson of the Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai University Council made a speech

Gao Peng, dean of the School of Future Design at Beijing Normal University, introduced the development direction and construction of the college. He stated that the School of Future Design will fully integrate and leverage the resources and advantages of design disciplines from various universities around the world. Using it as a starting point, the college will develop a STEDM education curriculum system which is led by design and integrates multiple disciplines. It helps to build a platform for teachers and students to realize lifelong learning with a combination of the curriculum practice of teachers in primary and secondary schools and vocational colleges through the curriculum design of integrating youth technology and art.

Gao Peng, dean of the School of Future Design at Beijing Normal University, gave a keynote speech

During the forum, experts and scholars from universities including Beijing Normal University, Tongji University, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the Chinese Education Society, together with primary and secondary school teachers and innovation education industry experts from Beijing, Shanghai and other places, shared their practical experience and theoretical achievements in STEDM education. More than ten workshops were held at the same time with themes including design thinking, artificial intelligence and design, and creative programming. Through live interaction, participants immersed themselves in the entire process of STEDM education, from core concepts, framework design to practical application.

The site of the 3rd STEDM Education Forum

Workshop: Design Thinking

Workshop: How to Make Your Own Circuit Board

The launch ceremony of a practical training platform for STEDM education - the achievement of Beijing Normal University Future Design Seed Fund was also held during the forum. The platform provides a set of online system for teacher training, which is led by design thinking to realize the digitalization of PBL projects and interdisciplinary courses.