Teacher reflections from MIT Teacher Professional Development Week: Advancing STEAM learning at St Andrews

Teachers from St Andrews International School Bangkok attended the MIT Teacher Professional Development Week in Cambridge, Massachusetts, bringing new ideas and practical strategies back to classrooms in Bangkok.

Ms Holly, Head of Technology Faculty and SEA Regional MIT Lead, and Mr Michael, Assistant Head of Primary – Teaching and Learning, joined educators from Nord Anglia schools around the world for the five-day programme. Grounded in MIT’s Mens et Manus (“Mind and Hand”) philosophy, the experience challenged participants to learn by doing, combining research, collaboration, and practical problem-solving.

Professional development at MIT strengthens teaching and learning at St Andrews

At St Andrews, professional development is central to maintaining high-quality teaching. During the week, Holly and Michael participated in workshops, campus tours, collaborative projects, and problem-solving challenges, including an MIT puzzle hunt that tested teamwork and critical thinking.

Reflecting on the experience, Ms Holly said “This continuing professional development (CPD) is inspirational. It gives the ability to see how MIT values and their signature ‘Mind and Hand’ way of thinking can be applied in a school setting, truly the best CPD.”

Experiencing MIT’s learning environment first-hand also provided valuable insight into the student perspective, reinforcing the importance of active participation, inquiry, and collaboration in the classroom.

Advancing STEAM education at St Andrews Bangkok

A major focus of the programme was STEAM education. Through lectures by MIT faculty and collaboration with colleagues across the Nord Anglia network, Holly and Michael explored new approaches to learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

One highlight was the opportunity to meet MIT professors during the programme’s Lunch with a Luminary sessions, gaining insights into current research and emerging ideas in education.

The week also highlighted the value of St Andrews’ collaboration with MIT through Nord Anglia Education. Working with educators from around the world, participants developed projects and shared strategies designed to translate their learning into classroom practice.

For Mr Michael, experiencing the programme as a learner was particularly valuable, commenting "We spent the week diving into cutting-edge research and completing the same kind of collaborative learning tasks we ask of our students every day. Being the learner gives you such a powerful perspective on how we teach.”

How the MIT collaboration benefits St Andrews students

The experience builds on St Andrews’ strong commitment to STEAM education, including participation in Nord Anglia STEAM festivals across the region and hosting the event in 2025.

The programme concluded with a Climate Action Summit focused on sustainability and education. Holly and Michael returned to campus with new ideas, practical strategies, and plans to introduce upcoming MIT challenges for students.

As Michael reflected, “I can’t wait to introduce the upcoming MIT challenges to our students at STA this coming academic year.”

By bringing these experiences back to St Andrews International School Bangkok, Holly and Michael are helping create even more opportunities for students to tackle complex problems, think creatively, and learn through collaboration, skills that will serve them well in a rapidly changing world.