DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS AND AI COMPETENCIES IN FUTURE STUDENTS THROUGH MAKER-STEAM EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORKS

Abstract

In the digital age, education must respond to the challenge of training students capable of developing sustainable technological solutions. This research, a collaborative effort of educators, researchers, and students, proposes an innovative approach, integrating STEAM-PBL methodologies and Maker-DIY spaces as catalysts for developing skills in artificial intelligence (AI) and educational robotics, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An educational intervention was implemented with high school students using the PBL (Project-Based Learning) model in Maker environments. These spaces featured tools such as Arduino, 3D printers, laser cutters, reusable materials, and open-source software. Students collaborated on the design of robotic prototypes focused on repetitive tasks optimized using basic AI. The students showed significant progress in computational thinking, collaborative work, robotic, and AI-oriented programming. The developed products demonstrated technical innovation with a social and ecological purpose. Recognition was received in national and international robotics competitions, validating the effectiveness of the pedagogical approach. This experience demonstrates that Maker-STEAM environments not only foster 21st-century skills but also enable the early integration of AI into the classroom from a practical, creative, and sustainable perspective. SDG-oriented educational robotics is consolidating as a powerful tool for transforming education toward a more inclusive and technologically relevant model.