Modernizing geography teacher education through STEAM integration to enhance geoecological competence

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) into geography teacher education to enhance geoecological competence among prospective teachers. A mixed-methods pedagogical experiment was conducted with 178 undergraduate students from two pedagogical universities in Kazakhstan, including an experimental group (n=90) and a control group (n=88). The intervention involved the integration of interdisciplinary STEAM projects, digital modeling, geographic information systems (GIS), and practice-oriented tasks focused on regional geoecological problems. Data were collected through curriculum analysis, tests, questionnaires, project evaluation, reflective reports, and expert assessment. The results revealed statistically significant improvement in the experimental group across the cognitive, activity-based, value-motivational, and reflective components of geoecological competence compared with the control group (p<0.05). The findings indicate that STEAM integration strengthens interdisciplinary thinking, practical problem-solving, digital skills, and environmental awareness. The study contributes a validated model for modernizing geography teacher education in line with sustainable development and the digital transformation of education.