THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STEAM EDUCATIONAL APPROACH IN DEVELOPING ECOLOGICAL COMPETENCIES IN PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

This article examines the issues of developing ecological competencies in primary school students through the STEAM approach. The study analyzes the significance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) as an integrative educational model in the process of environmental education, as well as its role in fostering students’ ecological thinking, responsibility, and practical skills. Furthermore, effective methods for teaching environmental issues in primary education through practical projects, experiments, and creative activities are presented. The article also offers recommendations for cultivating students’ conscious attitude toward nature, ecological culture, and ideas of sustainable development by means of interactive methods based on the STEAM approach. The research findings indicate that the STEAM approach serves as an effective pedagogical tool for developing ecological competencies.