STEAMunity

STEAMunity

Inspiring the next generation of Design x Technology Innovators

This novel programme is aimed at:

  • Inspiring our young to develop a greater proficiency in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), coupled with user-inspired Design and AI.

  • Promoting inclusivity and social cohesion through active interaction.

  • Broadening the horizons of our young – beyond the virtual world which they are very focused on.


Workshop Modules

Students will undergo a series of modules that will equip you with the skills necessary to tackle your projects.

Design Modules

You will learn about the 4D double-diamond or 4 phases of the Design Innovation process:

  1. Discover
    • Identify stakeholders
    • Empathise with users
    • Analyse user needs
  2. Define
    • Identify user insights and opportunities for innovations
    • Clarify and rescope opportunities
  3. Develop
    • Ideate creatively and boldly, with structure
    • Visualise ideas
  4. Deliver
    • Evaluate and filter concepts
    • Demonstrate concepts tangibly
    • Pitch ideas convincingly


STEAM Modules

Project Management
Management of team dynamics, roles, responsibilities, and project timeline

Prototyping
Hands-on fabrication (3D printing, laser cutting)

Coding
Basic procedural thinking

Artificial Intelligence
AI as a tool to aid the design process

Humanities & Arts
Critical thinking and creativity, understanding human perspectives and behaviour in technology

  

Programme Structure

Stage 1 programme outcomes:

  • Experience the end-to-end design process with a dedicated facilitator.

  • Learn the structured process of Design Innovation by using the iterative Double Diamond framework (Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver) where you learn and practice divergent and convergent thinking. Students will learn to explore an issue more widely and deeply; distill relevant information and pinpoint issues; creatively ideate and prototype; and streamline your solution.

  • Research, choose and solve a community problem.

  • Acquire/enhance valuable life skills and 21st-century competencies.

  • Learn/enhance your technical STEAM skills including 3D printing, laser-cutting, using generative AI, electronics, coding, industrial design and much more.

  • Engagement with community mentors and industry leaders

  • Pitch ideas to industry and community leaders.

Prerequisite:
Students must complete Stage 1: Burst of STEAM to apply for Stage 2: Full STEAM. The application process for Full STEAM will be communicated to students participating in Burst of STEAM.

Stage 2 programme outcomes:

  • Further develop STEAM and Design Innovation skills.

  • Experience guidance from trained Design Innovators.

  • Partner with community organisations to co-create solutions that can be implemented.

  • Troubleshoot prototypes with a dedicated Technical Advisor.

  • Testing the solutions with industry and community partners.

  • Project showcase

Programme Principles & Values

Our Principles

The programme design embraces 3 key principles based on industry and global best practices and from our in-house Design Innovation expertise. 

🧭 Guided Autonomy
Steer your own design opportunity, with guidance. 

🔭 Multi-perspective Learning 
Inter-disciplinary, multi-level, experimentation-driven growth. 

🏡 Empowered Community
Take ownership of your community with empathy, via co-creation.


The Ground Rules

In order to make this an enjoyable and productive experience for all participants, we expect close adherence to these values:

  1. Accountability: Be responsible for your commitments, and communicate openly if you need help or have concerns. Show up for your teammates, facilitators and instructors. 

  2. Integrity: Give due credit and consistently improve your work ethic. 

  3. Sportsmanship: Treat each other and your items with respect.

  4. Embrace fun: Participate wholeheartedly in the activities and enjoy the learning process. Don’t be afraid to fail!


Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any prerequisites to being a participant?

We only ask that you are invested and committed to joining this programme once you have registered! This programme aims to make a large amount of resources available to you whether in terms of physical tools, domain expertise, access to significant networks and your peers’ time.

Who will be involved in the programme?

Students will work closely with stakeholders from the community, industry leaders, as well as SUTD’s team of Design x Technology Innovators from DesignZ who will coach, facilitate peer learning, and inspire student teams to realise their projects. Each team will be accompanied by SUTD student mentors/advisors, with strong support from Temasek Polytechnic (our key IHL partner) and other partners from industry/community, who will guide them throughout the programme.

Do I get to pick my team mates?

Teams are assigned based on overlapping topics of interest. We try to team up at least 2 students from the same school in each team.

What if I can no longer commit to the programme?

If the programme has not commenced, let us know early so we can open up slots for other students. If your withdrawal occurs during the course of the programme, you should likewise send us a formal email to notify us at steamunity@sutd.edu.sg with a valid reason. Students’ attendance at key modules are mandatory in order to be certified at the end of the programme.