STEAM and the new paradigms in material selection, manufacturing processes and design
Résumé
The integration of STEAM domains (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) is not an easy task, but it allows for greater stakeholder engagement, improved creativity, opportunities for innovation and tools for problem-solving and provides cognitive benefits for a holistic view of the situation. The ability to link these thematic areas and the sharing of these areas of knowledge allows for an improvement in teamwork skills, an incentive for critical thinking, a stimulation of interpersonal communication and adaptability (fundamental characteristics in the industry 4.0). It should also be noted that the union of these abilities illuminates the field of abstract thought, allows spatial resolution, openness to new ideas, experiences and new curiosities. The actions promoted by the STEAM concept give ideas a boost, stimulate risk taking and learn from mistakes. Experimentation of materials and manufacturing processes are mandatory in proposing new engineering ideas, as they carry the materiality of the product and / or system and thus the formal expression of the designer responsible for the project. Following the justification and relevance of this proposal, it is noteworthy that the interdependence between human and materials and process has made these incorporated into human culture becoming "substance of action" of civilizations over time. Just remember that the various ages through which man has gone through are characterized by the degree of development and utilization of materials and process: stone age (chipped and polished), bronze age, iron age; nowadays maybe we could say polymer age, composite age, multi-material age... What is certain is that knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials are almost always indispensable to materialize a conceptual project. In this sense, examples of integration between materials and manufacturing techniques notably in 3D printing and laser engraving and cutting will be presented and their relevance to materialize STEAM projects will be shown. The importance of STEAM concepts about personalization and industry 4.0 will also be discussed: can the STEAM approach be used in the future to better answer the issue of personalized product demand? Can it give new paradigms to better answer some 4.0 issues? Given this scenario it can be concluded that STEAM theme