Series 9 Episode 1: Island STEAM - Why Teachers & Students Should Explore Island Life in Schools

Series 9 Episode 1: Island STEAM - Why Teachers & Students Should Explore Island Life in Schools

From The Power of (STEM)2 by Dr. Michael Hammond-Todd

May 29, 2026 · 12 min · Season 9 · Episode 1

About this episode

The episode explores the importance of STEAM education through the lens of diverse island communities and their environmental challenges.

Series 9 Episode 1: Island STEAM - Why Teachers & Students Should Explore Island Life in Schools — In the first episode of our Island STEAM series we explore STEAM education within the context of the world’s diverse islands and communities. There more than 600,000 diverse islands around the world with at least 11,000 of them inhabited by people. More specifically, we explore how large scientific studied phenomenon such as climate change impact Arctic, desert and tropical islands around the Earth. More specifically we look at how teachers can use islands in STEAM as diverse models for scientific research and change as it relates to how diverse communities adapt to significant environmental challenges in the 21st century. In the news we discuss how Pacific Islander secondary students are advocating for increased scientific literacy in schools and communities and the UN’s recent report on how rising sea levels threaten many low lying islands and communities.

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Michael Hammond-Todd

Topics covered

  • STEAM education
  • island life
  • climate change
  • scientific research
  • environmental challenges
  • community adaptation

Keywords

  • STEAM
  • islands
  • climate change
  • education
  • scientific literacy
  • environment
  • community adaptation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: UN

Places: Arctic, desert, tropical islands, Pacific Islander

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