The framework serves two main purposes. Firstly, it acts as a self-assessment tool, allowing educators to evaluate their strengths and identify areas for development in STEAM education. Secondly, it guides the design and assessment of professional development programs specific to STEAM education. By doing so, it ensures educators are well-prepared to meet the demands of the modern classroom.

Organized around five key perspectives, the framework captures the varied roles of a STEAM educator. As teachers, trainers, and tutors, educators are equipped with essential instructional skills, pedagogical techniques, and methods for effective feedback and assessment. They also function as learning designers and creators, planning and modifying curricula to facilitate student engagement and enhance career opportunities.

In their role as orchestrators and managers, educators manage resources and coordinate procedures, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in STEAM education. Community engagement forms another core perspective, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with various STEAM communities, including institutions, researchers, and businesses. Lastly, a focus on professionalism highlights the continuous development of transferable skills such as leadership, communication, and critical thinking.

The framework’s development involved a multi-stage process that included literature reviews, needs analysis surveys, expert consultations, and validation surveys. Insights were drawn from existing frameworks like those from the OECD and European Commission, and new perspectives were incorporated through collaborative discussions among European project partners. Adjustments were made to streamline the framework, ensuring clarity and comprehensiveness. Relevant to the broader education community, the framework provides a common language and understanding, supporting the development of high-quality STEAM programs. It empowers educators to take ownership of their professional growth, identifying strengths and opportunities for targeted development. This framework not only aids individual educators but also impacts professional development programs by forming the basis of courses and self-assessment tools.

Significantly, it has influenced the creation of occupational profiles within the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications, and Occupations framework. These profiles offer detailed descriptions of roles and required skills for various positions, aligned with European Qualifications Framework levels. In this perspective, the STEAM educator competence framework is an invaluable resource for both individuals and institutions involved in STEAM education. It not only clarifies what it means to be a competent STEAM educator but also supports the development of engaging, impactful learning experiences. Through this framework, educators are better equipped to advance high-quality STEAM education and transform student learning outcomes.

The EASE Academy (https://learn.ease-educators.com), driven by its commitment to supporting STEAM educators, is integrating the STEAM educators’ competence framework into its platform. This integration will shape the structure of courses and the newly introduced “Learning Paths,” which are carefully curated sequences of courses designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of specific topics within STEAM education. EASE Academy is encouraging community involvement by allowing any EASE-certified e-trainers to create and publish their own Learning Path. This approach ensures that the EASE Academy platform benefits from the collective expertise and diverse experiences within the STEAM education community.