Madhu Narayanan (right), stands outside Palais des Sciences de Monastir in Tunisia with staff members Ahmad, Iyman, Najeh, and Ridha.
When Madhu Narayanan, assistant professor of Education, Leadership, and Policy at Portland State University (PSU), received a Fulbright Specialist Program award this winter, he looked forward to the three weeks of intensive international collaboration ahead. Selected as one of 400 U.S. scholars sharing expertise abroad each year, Narayanan traveled to the Palais des Sciences de Monastir (PSM) in Tunisia with an ambitious goal to help develop the country's first STEAM Academy.
The academy aims to equip Tunisian citizens—especially youth, women and geographically marginalized populations—with critical skills for a globalized economy. It's exactly the kind of international partnership the Fulbright Program was designed to support: addressing shared challenges while building lasting connections between communities.
"PSM is one of only two centers in Tunisia dedicated to public science education," Narayanan explains. "They use both their center in Monastir and a mobile science bus to bring engaging lessons about science, engineering and the natural world to students throughout several regions of Tunisia. These existing outreach efforts provided an ideal foundation for introducing hands-on STEAM activities.
Three local science teachers work together in a design challenge building a “spaghetti bridge” at PSM in Tunisia. The purpose of the exercise was to experience STEAM principles in action.
The project unfolded in three distinct phases, beginning with PSM's educators—known as Science Mediators—developing a shared vision for STEAM learning. Through hands-on experiences, consideration for the various definitions of STEAM and thoughtful group discussions, the mediators crafted their own vision in French. Emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and critical thinking, it reads:
Les professeurs d’encadrement scientifique du PSM définissent le STEAM comme étant une approche interdisciplinaire. Son objectif principal est d’encourager l'innovation et la collaboration afin de résoudre les problèmes de manière à rendre plus pratique et développer la pensée critique. Susciter chez les participants un intérêt et un amour permanent pour les arts et les sciences, permet de garantir un meilleur avenir pour la société.
In English, the vision can be summarized as encouraging innovation and collaboration in order to solve real-world problems and develop critical thinking. It can foster a lifelong interest and love for the arts and sciences and help develop a stronger society.
“Pr. Madhu's expertise brought a fresh perspective to our work,” says Slimene Sedrette, head of programming and development at Monastir Science Palace. “His deep understanding of STEAM allowed us to refine our approaches and explore new techniques. His visit was particularly enriching for our team, as it reinforced our commitment to innovation and excellence.”
The second phase of the project brought together teachers from the Monastir and Sousse regions for an intensive week-long workshop. "Many had heard of STEAM but were unsure what it meant for teachers," Narayanan says. "We gave them opportunities to use critical thinking, employ problem-solving skills and communicate and debate their ideas." Teachers also used a modified AI bot to aid in the design process. The workshop culminated with teachers presenting their own STEAM lessons ranging from addition of fractions, understanding plate tectonics and modeling photosynthesis.
The group’s enthusiasm didn't surprise Narayanan. "I learned that teachers are hungry to break the mold of traditional techniques used for instruction," he says. “They relish opportunities to use their curiosity and innovation and apply principles of science, arts, math, and technology to engage with real challenges.”
Teachers from the Monastir-Sousse region celebrate after presenting STEAM project designs they can use with students in their own classrooms.
For the final phase, Narayanan led a two-day workshop introducing STEAM principals to an interdisciplinary group of local university professors, with expertise spanning from electrical engineering to aquatic ecology to linguistics.
"Several of the professors expressed a desire to move away from 'traditional' teaching, to challenge the passive learning that has defined college education for generations," he says. The group had a chance to experience some sample STEAM activities firsthand, discovering how active learning can be fun, engaging and promote discovery. Narayanan introduced approaches that move beyond memorizing facts and formulas to emphasize deeper learning through critical thinking and problem-solving. Energized by these ideas, the professors brainstormed ways to transform their own classroom teaching.
The hands-on workshops and exchange of ideas and experiences with staff and teachers aligned well with the center’s objectives. “This initiative directly supported our mission of promoting scientific knowledge and dissemination of science throughout the country by giving our team new tools and insights to enhance our work," Sedrette explains.
Maneka Brooks, Dean of the College of Education, agrees that the Fulbright project offered a great opportunity to expand educational expertise. “Dr. Narayanan's work in Tunisia demonstrates that PSU’s mission to "let knowledge serve the city" extends globally,” she says. “I am particularly impressed by how his partnership supported local educational goals rather than imposing outside solutions. The insights he brings back will undoubtedly enrich our programs too.”
Through this collaboration, Narayanan helped lay the groundwork for a transformative approach to science education in Tunisia. As the STEAM Academy takes shape, it promises to foster the creativity, critical thinking, and innovation essential for success in today's interconnected world. And for Narayanan, the experience revealed something fundamental about education across borders.
The opportunity also aligned well with his research into the changing nature of global education built on his work with school leaders and administrative licensure candidates at PSU.
“There is a sense of shared purpose and discovery that transcends cultural differences,” he reflects. “Human ingenuity is a foundational trait that bonds us, and education is an institution with the potential to help us see this common ground.”
To see this human ingenuity in action, visit the project website featuring more photos and short videos documenting the collaboration. And hear Madhu Narayanan share his thoughts on the project in this video produced by PSM.