A growing educational initiative is reshaping how students learn at East Hill Elementary School in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies, where a hands-on, problem-solving approach has become central to classroom life.
The STEAM model — integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics — is now fully embedded at the school following a three-year pilot project led by the English Montreal School Board (EMSB). The approach emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking and real-world application, marking a shift away from traditional teaching methods.
Originally introduced at the EMSB during the 2016–2017 school year, STEAM evolved from STEM education by incorporating the arts to address gaps in creativity, communication and design — skills increasingly seen as essential in the 21st century.
