STEM Education and Scientific Literacy

Nature of Scientific Knowledge and Scientific Inquiry

• Science is complex, with various interpretations and conceptualisations.
• Scientific knowledge comprises concepts, laws, and theories.
• Scientific inquiry involves knowledge development processes.
• Scientific knowledge is empirical, creative, subjective, and changeable.
• Scientific literacy involves using scientific knowledge to make informed decisions.
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is an integrated approach to learning.
• Scientific inquiry encompasses different processes like descriptive, correlational, and experimental methods.
• Science involves more than just facts; it includes processes, values, and societal contexts.
• Scientific knowledge is constantly evolving with new evidence and perspectives.
• The nature of scientific knowledge (NOSK) and scientific inquiry (SI) should be emphasized in science education.
• Different STEM disciplines have unique conventions regarding knowledge.
• Appropriate teacher training and curriculum development are needed for STEM interdisciplinary approaches.
• Scientific inquiry encompasses investigation, data collection, and conclusion drawing, not a uniform process.
• Current reforms emphasize science practices like using knowledge for informed decisions, considering the nature of science and societal factors.

Definitions of Technology

• Technology has multiple, nuanced meanings reflecting historical evolution.
• Technology can be viewed as problem-solving processes.
• Technology encompasses tools and processes used to solve problems.
• Technology is considered in various fields like biology, engineering, and mathematics.
• Technology's meaning is influenced by varied experiences and cultural backgrounds.
• Technology profoundly impacts daily life, shaping human interaction, culture, and values.
• Perspectives include its practical, theoretical, and historic role in society.
• Technology can involve calculations, modeling, and solutions.

Technology in Education

• Research examines varied perspectives on technology.
• Common technology perceptions include tools, artifacts, and applications of theoretical knowledge.
• Systemic concepts of technology emphasize its connection to societal, economic, and cultural factors.
• Technology views are influenced by sociocultural factors.
• Technology is viewed as an instrument or tool by students and teachers.
• Technology is seldom recognised for its human and historical impacts on society.

Standards Movement in Technology Education

• Technology education standards often focus on application rather than philosophical underpinnings.
• Standards usually emphasize practical applications rather than the nature of technology,
• Technology is not always viewed as a core subject area in many schools.
• The rapid advancement of technology presents challenges in defining it.
• Definitions often emphasize practical applications, overlooking philosophical issues.
• The application of technology across disciplines is often overlooked.
• Technology may be seen as a tool for problem solving, not just a subject.

Nature of Mathematics and its Impact on K-12 Education

• Mathematics is debated and controversial among mathematicians.
• The nature of mathematics in K-12 education is not explicitly defined.
• Students' experiences in learning math concepts are variable.
• Students commonly perceive math as rules and numbers, while mathematicians view it as pattern studies.
• Pure math focuses on the subject itself, while applied math involves real-world applications.
• Absolutes view mathematical knowledge as unchanging and discovered, while fallibilism presents it as human constructs.
• Traditional math often emphasizes procedures instead of problem-solving,
• Creative problem-solving is crucial in mathematics.

Philosophical Underpinnings

• Absolutist views of mathematics present it as fixed rules and procedures.
• Fallibilist views recognize mathematics as evolving and tentative.
• The philosophies behind mathematical approaches influence teaching strategies.

What K-12 Students Should Know About Mathematics

• Students should grasp mathematics as a reasoning system using procedures and practices.
• Processes include problem-solving, reasoning, communication, connections, and representations.
• Curriculum documents in various countries emphasize these skills and are often integrated.
• Students should recognise math as both creative and tentative.
• Creative problem-solving is vital for understanding mathematics.

Digital Video Games (DVGs) in STEM Education

• Games-based learning is a frontier in STEM preparation.
• Digital video games can effectively include and reinforce STEM concepts.
• Games can motivate learners.
• Engineering design processes are often challenging, sometimes due to lack of prior scientific knowledge and access to engineers.
• Video game design can help understand STEM concepts, applying the engineering design process.
• Video games can potentially include all but one of the eight science/engineering practices.
• Technology competencies are crucial for modern technology use.
• DVG design provides opportunities for programming, mathematical knowledge, creativity, and logical thinking.
• Criteria for DVG design prioritize content and approach, including rewards, levels, and avatars to motivate learners.

STEM Education

• A major goal of STEM education is to improve STEM proficiency, irrespective of career aspirations.
• STEM education integrates knowledge and skills across STEM disciplines, fostering 21st-century skills.
• Educators face challenges in integrating STEM disciplines due to content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and pedagogical content knowledge.
• Effective STEM education focuses on students, promoting problem-solving and higher-order thinking.

Teacher Education

• Preparing teachers to integrate technology effectively can be challenging.
• Teacher comfort with technology is influenced by factors like knowledge, resources, support, attitude, and personal investment.
• Teacher preparation needs ongoing professional development focusing on integrating technology effectively.

Digital Literacies and DVGs

• Games-based learning is beneficial for preparing students for STEM careers.
• Digital video games effectively incorporate and reinforce STEM concepts.
• Games can motivate learners.
• The engineering design process and DVG design often face challenges in K-12 classrooms, particularly due to a lack of prior science knowledge and limited access to engineers.
• Video games can help improve the understanding of STEM concepts and enhance the understanding of the engineering design process.
• Video games can better incorporate the key pillars of STEM.

Current Praxis and Conceptualisation of STEM Education

• STEM education is a focus in both educational policy and academic discourse for decades.
• STEM education promotes global leadership and includes substantial grants.
• There's a lack of consensus on exactly what STEM education entails.
• Integration in education involves linking concepts across different sectors.
• STEM education and learning practices remain unclear, inconsistently applied.

Positions on Integrated STEM

• STEM is an interconnected discipline integrating knowledge and skills across STEM domains to solve real-world problems.
• STEM integrates knowledge from different disciplines.
• A true integration encompasses STEM’s concepts and practices.

Future Elementary Teachers' Perspectives

• Future elementary teachers perceive STEM education as important.
• The emphasis on STEM across K-12 has increased significantly.
• Studies show that science receives less instructional time at the elementary level than other subjects such as English and mathematics.

STEM Switching Studies

• Studies have investigated STEM switching factors.
• Unanswered questions include the destinations and reasons for switching STEM majors among students.
• Students may switch because of issues with instructional delivery or develop an interest in unrelated fields from elective courses,

STEM as an Interdependent Field

• STEM disciplines are sometimes viewed as distinct but interdependent.
• Fields like biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, agriculture, and computing share concepts and principles.
• Examples illustrate how distinct STEM fields interact (e.g., pH in biology, logarithmic scales in physics/mathematics, materials science utilizing multiple STEM principles).

Student STEM Experiences

• Concerns exist regarding college students switching out of STEM fields.
• 23 factors associated with students switching were analyzed, with core factors including loss of interest, better non-STEM options, and teaching issues.
• Other factors include faculty pedagogy, initial experiences in introductory courses, and advising/counseling.

Student STEM Identity

• Identity significantly impacts student retention and persistence within STEM fields.
• Key elements of STEM identity include competence, performance, recognition, and experiences.
• Environmental factors can influence the perception of STEM majors.

Explore key concepts related to STEM education and scientific literacy in this insightful quiz. It covers aspects of scientific inquiry, the role of technology, and the Engineering Design Process. Enhance your understanding of current educational reforms and the skills necessary for the 21st century.