This article reports a multiple case study in which we analyse Brazilian and Spanish mathematics teachers’ opinions about and predispositions toward gamified activities in STEAM education. To obtain data, we administered a survey to 56 in-service mathematics teachers in primary and secondary education from these countries. The survey had been previously validated throughout an expert judgement process. Our results show a high percentage of teachers who think this kind of activity has positive effects on students’ development, improving their affective domain toward mathematics and required skills for mathematical competency. Notwithstanding, many teachers report insecurity and lack of training for employing such educational methodologies.

Se exploran las conexiones entre la matemática y la ingeniería a través de la estadística en educación primaria mediante el diseño e implementación de una actividad STEAM. Para ello, en la primera parte se fundamenta teóricamente la educación STEAM, las conexiones entre las matemáticas y la ingeniería a través de la estadística. En la segunda parte, se describe el diseño e implementación de una actividad STEAM con 23 estudiantes españoles de 10-11 años. Esta actividad contempla tres fases: 1) inicio: dibujo de una persona que hace ingeniería; 2) desarrollo: ciclo de investigación estadística a partir de los dibujos de los estudiantes; y 3) cierre: diálogo en torno a la ingeniería. Se concluye que el ciclo investigativo promueve el pensamiento crítico en torno a las concepciones y estereotipos acerca de la ingeniería. De este modo, la educación STEAM permite abrir caminos hacia la ingeniería temprana en el contexto escolar y en conexión con las matemáticas.

We sought to analyse the effects of a practical teacher-training program on teachers’ abilities in planning STEAM activities. For that, a case study is presented in a mixed-method research approach. 14 Brazilian teachers took part in a course wherein they received mentoring, instruments, and feedback to develop STEAM plans. In this research, data were collected from two surveys, from previously validated open-ended questions, and from the STEAM plans as final products. Quantitative data was analysed through nonparametric statistical tests, and qualitative data underwent content analysis according to the Ground Theory commandments. As result, teachers reported a positive view of the STEAM impact and a high predisposition towards it. Although they considered merging STEAM areas challenging, especially Engineering and Technology, the training helped them surpass it. All plans had at least two areas, and half of them had all five STEAM areas. Around 70% of the teachers used an active learning teaching method which was new to them. There was a significant augment in teachers' self-efficacy in planning STEAM activities.

We sought to explore the intersection between interdisciplinary STEM/STEAM educational approaches and Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (ECEfS). For that, we conducted a systematic review of Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC, and Scielo databases from 2007 to 2022 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) commandments. The systematic search led to a list of 12 articles, and we analysed them through theoretical orientations, educational perspectives, and pictures of children’s nature. We found that most studies focus on sustainability’s environmental pillar and address the discipline of science more frequently. Additionally, the authors tend to assume a theoretical orientation on the need for connecting children to a sustainable issue and picture the Apollonian child—assuming children are essentially good and emerge with virtuous traits from this contact, such as environmental care. Accordingly, researchers usually propose experiential learning in environments or settings related to sustainability, while there is a lack of teaching STEM/STEAM knowledge and skills on sustainability or engaging children to act for sustainability. We verified that they frequently lose opportunities to explicitly discern STEM/STEAM knowledge areas and their intersections in moments that could benefit children’s learning.