Full STEAM Ahead was an arts education initiative by CCF that integrated Art into traditional STEM curricula. Running from late 2021 through December 2022, the program culminated in a finale at Phnom Penh’s Royal Train Square—timed to mark the station’s 90th anniversary.
Cambodian and international artists led CCF students in creating science- and technology-based art projects, inviting public engagement around STEAM education.
The venue was a deliberate metaphor. Just as steam locomotives once transformed societies from rural and agricultural to urban and industrial—speeding up transport, creating jobs, and reshaping how communities interact—the historic station underscored for students the transformative power of innovation and their own role in Cambodia’s future development through STEAM.
STEAM education is critical for our students and for Cambodia to have a solid base in infrastructure – physical infrastructure and digital infrastructure – as that’s where the jobs will be and what will best enhance Cambodia’s ability to compete on the world stage.
From STEM to STEAM
Read the Full STEAM Ahead project report to see how student-artist collaborations bridged art and STEM to drive Cambodia’s next generation of innovators.
FULL CIRCLE: Closing Exchange
Months of collaboration culminated in a simultaneous transcontinental finale: Phnom Penh's closing exhibition at Royal Train Square on December 11, and Vancouver's corresponding event on December 10, timed to run together across time zones. Beginning in physical train stations and converging in a shared virtual space, this exploration of art through science and technology opened with the first-ever live-streamed Cambodian-Canadian performance—a milestone in technological cultural exchange featuring CCF.
Pendulum vs Robot
Theary and Sokchea reflect on the differences and similarities between the Pendulum Art and Drawing Robot projects.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This project would not have been possible without the support and commitment of:Full STEAM Ahead: Nicky Ward, Tony Francis, Andrew Roberts, Phorn La, Som Komsan, Ly Vannmei, Norain Suon, Hean Kim Eng, Sreyrath Loas, Keo Rattana, Ma Sophat, Kerrin Stainton and Scott Neeson.
Artists - Carlos Santoro, Kosal Kiev, Future Headspace, Danillo Halle, Ny Lai and Khun Sreynuch, Kay Barnes, Sean Duffell, Shunsuke Miyatake, Sokvisal Kim.
Krama NFT Marketplace and Royal Train Square
The Thought Train Collective: Mira Malatestinic, Charlene Vickers, Connie Sabo, Zoran Dragelj, Changó Cummings, Kay Barnes, Brynne Harper, Paul Larocque, Patrick O’Neill, Alan Brodie, George Game, Sarah Cavanaugh.
West Coast Railway Association, Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, Arts Umbrella