The Home Economics Seminar Centre as a Catalyst for Transdisciplinary Learning and Community Engagement in Malta
This review explores the Home Economics Seminar Centre (HESC) as a long-standing component of the Maltese education system, focusing on its contribution to transdisciplinary learning that connects educational, social and policy contexts, as well as is contribution to community engagement. Drawing on its historical development and current practices, the review examines the evolution of the HESC from its establishment to its present role within the Directorate for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) Programmes. It shows how the HESC has aligned experiential and inquiry-based pedagogies with national priorities related to health, sustainability, financial capability, inclusion and lifelong learning. The discussion highlights how Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM)-informed approaches, cooperative learning, and multiple literacies are embedded in authentic learning contexts. It also examines the HESC’s engagement with stakeholders, illustrating how learning is strengthened when classroom practice is linked to wider societal and policy frameworks. Overall, the review positions the HESC as an example of how Home Economics can support wellbeing, equity, and responsible citizenship. It offers a contextually grounded account of real-world-oriented education, with implications for curriculum implementation and policy–practice alignment.