STEAMDANCE Primary
The program
STEAMDANCE uses a dance-education approach to learning about STEAM subjects; science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.
Students are inspired to wonder how you might use movement as a fraction, choreography to create patterns or what the angle of an arabesque is or how you might balance weight when you lift a partner.
Performance
Included in the program is a performance of Wonderland or From the Gadhu. These less than 30-minute performances have been created especially for school aged students and designed for students of all levels of ability and experience. Students who attend the workshops are invited to enjoy the performance, and if your venue is large enough, other year levels are also welcome to attend.
Express interest
We are seeking expressions of interest from schools and community groups in these locations:
- NSW (Sydney, Paramatta)
- VIC (Melbourne, Shepparton, Geelong, Bendigo, Horsham)
- SA (Whyalla, Tanunda)
- QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
- NT (Darwin, Katherine)
- TAS (West Coast, North-West)
- WA (Perth, Geraldton)
Program objectives
The STEAMDANCE program aims to provide students with an unforgettable dance experience and is led by The Australian Ballet’s Education and Outreach team.
The dance workshops :
- Complement key STEAM objectives in the curriculum by working closely with the class teacher to support classroom themes
- Include every student in an accessible and inspiring way
The program also includes the opportunity to have a 20-30 minute performance in your school by four professional dancers. The performance aims to:
- Bring a professional ballet performance to students and teachers
- Highlight the value of dance and performance
- Expand student knowledge of a range of dance forms
- Provide an experience that is accessible to all
- Increase knowledge of arts careers
Student key capabilities
The STEAMDANCE program encompasses:
- Intercultural understanding
- Critical and creative thinking
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Problem-solving
During the STEAMDANCE program students will:
- Increase skills through practical dance exercises that encourage individual and cooperative learning
- Increase their interest and skills in dance and have an opportunity to interact with dancers
- Increase their knowledge about health and well-being through exercise, body confidence and food choices
How does the program work?
Victoria: The program consists of a single day visit each week for 5 weeks, or each day for one week. Each day can include up to four classes (or eight if you have two suitable spaces), with the same students participating each day. The team consult in advance with the class teacher to create a dance-education program that supports broader classroom learning.
Over the course of the program the students learn practical dance and choreographic skills based around the chosen theme and create a performance. Included in the package is also the chance to have a 20-30 minute professional performance in your school by our Education and Outreach dancers.
Nationally: The program can also be delivered intensively across a day or week in remote areas at schools and community venues. A Professional Development session for interested teachers is also offered; this focuses on using dance education to teach curricular subjects supported by The Australian Ballet’s online resource EduHub.
The teacher training in each area and online resources support the long-term sustainability of the delivery.
Criteria for selection
The Education and Outreach program is aimed at increasing access to ballet and the arts, and opportunities to spend time with professional artists. We prioritise schools in low socio-economic areas and those that are disadvantaged socially, financially and geographically. If you are unsure if you fit the criteria, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss.