Curious minds welcome | How STEAM education comes to life at CatVana
At CatVana Learning Centre in Sant Pere de Ribes, one belief shapes everything we do: every child has incredible potential — even if they learn, speak, or think differently.
That’s why our days are filled with problem-solving, messy experiments, stories, sketches, teamwork, and a fair amount of “aha!” moments. We call it STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths — and for us, it’s not just a subject area. It’s a way of helping kids make sense of the world, one curious step at a time.
What is STEAM and why do we love it?
STEAM brings together logic and creativity, structure and imagination — basically, it’s where math meets music, science meets storytelling, and kids discover what they’re capable of.
For children (especially those with SEN, ADHD, autism or just a wonderfully unique learning style), STEAM is a breath of fresh air. It's hands-on, visual, playful, and flexible — with plenty of space to try, test, build, fail, laugh, and try again.
Whether they’re building a bridge out of straws, coding a pixel character, or using art to show a number sequence, STEAM lets kids learn in the way that feels right to them.
Why it works — especially for neurodiverse learners
At CatVana, we see firsthand how alternative education and creative methods can unlock confidence in children who may struggle in more rigid environments.
Visual thinkers love our experiments, sketches and diagrams
Kinaesthetic learners thrive when building, making and moving
Auditory learners engage through storytelling, group chats and shared discoveries
And best of all? No one’s boxed in. Children can explore, question, and express themselves — and that’s where the magic happens.
What STEAM looks like at CatVana
We don’t just teach STEAM — we live it. That means our students might be:
Designing mini cities out of recyclables
Testing chemical reactions using kitchen-safe ingredients
Expressing maths through movement or colour
Collaborating on group builds that occasionally collapse — and that’s OK
It’s structured learning with space to explore, and every challenge is a chance to grow resilience, flexibility, and self-belief.
Why starting early makes a difference
STEAM isn't just for older kids in lab coats, it’s about hands on learning. We bring these concepts into the early years, too — because learning to think critically, problem-solve, and experiment is just as valuable as reading and writing.
Through STEAM, children build:
Cognitive skills (like logic, sequencing, memory)
Social skills (like teamwork, turn-taking, and listening)
Emotional resilience (mistakes are just data, right?)
A lifelong love of learning
Learning doesn’t stop at our door
We love working with families to bring the joy of discovery home. That might be sharing a simple DIY science idea, or helping you spot the STEAM moments hiding in your daily routines — like sorting socks, building forts, or wondering why bubbles pop.
If your child is curious, quirky, cautious, or somewhere in between — and you’re wondering if STEAM might be the right fit — we’d love to chat.
You can book a visit, ask about our English speaking STEAM Summer Camps in the Garraf, or email us through our Member Page.
LPT warning!
Side effects of CatVana Learning may include:
Unprompted experiments in your kitchen.
Sudden interest in how bridges work.
Children asking “what if?” a lot.
And that wonderful feeling that they’re actually loving learning again.