Develop Intrinsically Motivated Learners with STEAM Learning

May 10, 2024
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Knowledge
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Tania Gan

Have you noticed your children dreading homework assignments or procrastinating when it comes to studying or revising for tests? Perhaps they show reluctance towards their extracurricular activities, even if they were the ones who initially expressed interest in them. Do you find yourself resorting to rewards or incentives to motivate them to complete their tasks?

In our fast-paced, globalised society, where everything seems readily available, it's not uncommon for children to lose touch with gratitude and intrinsic motivation. But what happened to those enthusiastic, curious learners who were excited to explore new things? Are they simply lacking motivation, or has something else affected their drive to learn? More importantly, how can we reignite their intrinsic motivation?

At Camp Beaumont Asia, we have witnessed the transformative power of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning experiences in fostering intrinsic motivation among young learners. By integrating these diverse disciplines, we empower children to become active participants in their educational journey, reigniting their passion and nurturing their sense of ownership.

Here are three key ways in which Camp Beaumont's STEAM activities can help develop intrinsically motivated learners: 

1. Hands-on Learning 

Our STEAM activities provide children with abundant resources and guidance to help them develop, design, and create solutions or seek answers to their questions. Through hands-on exploration and experimentation, children engage their senses, tinker with their ideas, and test hypotheses. This active learning process encourages their participation, sparks curiosity, and empowers their creative minds to explore freely, fostering a deep love for discovery.

2. Child-Directed Approach:

Research shows that when students have a sense of control over their learning, their intrinsic motivation soars. While our STEAM activities maintain a clear structure defining the objectives of each session, we prioritise giving campers the autonomy to make decisions, investigate, and experiment based on their own ideas. This trial-and-error learning journey provides a sense of relatedness and meaning as learners take responsibility for their own progress. Our camp facilitators are always present to offer support, ensuring that campers are appropriately challenged and find success in their tasks. This creates a joyful and memorable learning experience.

3. Process-Oriented Focus:

Our STEAM activities prioritise the process over the outcome. We believe that true engagement and motivation stem from the process of strategising, planning, discussing, creating, learning from mistakes, and collaborating as a team. It is through this iterative process that learners develop perseverance and derive valuable lessons. By dedicating ample time to engage and challenge young minds, we empower them to test their theories, embrace resilience, and learn from every experience.

STEAM learning experiences have the power to empower learners, helping them unlock their full potential and achieve remarkable growth. That's why Camp Beaumont Asia is thrilled to expand our STEAM-focused camps across more countries this summer! 

With prestigious international school campuses strategically located throughout Malaysia, Thailand, and Hong Kong, you can easily find a school to enroll your children in our enriching STEAM-focused camps, which feature STEAM activities alongside our favourite activities and games from our multi-activity camp programme. 

Visit our website to discover more details and secure your children's spots before it's too late! Let us join hands in nurturing intrinsically motivated learners who are eager to explore, innovate, and make a lasting impact. 

Additional Resources/References 

  1. https://elearningindustry.com/intrinsic-vs-extrinsic-motivation-that-is-the-question#:~:text=Intrinsically%20motivated%20learners%20are%20self,anecdotes%20and%20participate%20in%20activities.
  2. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED590932.pdf 
  3. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/16/09/intrinsically-motivated

Time flies! It’s really unbelievable that my son finished the 6 weeks Summer Camp at Malvern! Thanks for letting him join this Summer camp! It’s so much fun everyday! And most importantly, he made a good friend here! Hope we can join in the future camps! And thanks you to your team!

Parent, Malvern College Pre-School Island West, Hong Kong, Summer 2022