STEM Education Integration

What is STEM?

• STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
• The acronym was coined by Dr. Judith Ramaley in 2001

STEM Education

• An interdisciplinary approach to learning that combines rigorous academic concepts with real-world lessons
• Students apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in context to make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise
• Enables the development of STEM literacy and the ability to compete in the new economy

Components of STEM

• Science: no definition provided
• Technology: the application of science to solve problems
• Engineering: the engineering design process involves defining the problem, identifying constraints, brainstorming solutions, prototyping, testing, and iterating to improve the solution
• Mathematics: no definition provided

Relationship between Components of STEM

• The combining of disciplines is based on connections between the subjects and real-world problems

Principles of STEM Education

Problem-based Learning

• Conducting research and applying knowledge and skills to develop a viable solution to a defined problem
• Involves students in authentic, open-ended, real-world problems to increase the meaningfulness of the content to be learned
• Goal is for students to develop problem-solving skills by going through a realistic self-directed problem-solving process

Project-based Learning

• A teaching method where students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge
• Interdisciplinary approach because real-world challenges are rarely solved using information or skills from a single subject area
• Requires students to engage in inquiry, solution building, and product construction to help address the issue or challenge presented

Educator Expertise

• Key factor in STEM education
• Combines knowledge of the subject matter with an understanding of effective approaches for teaching it to students with diverse learning styles
• Includes teacher's STEM content knowledge, educator self-efficacy, and pedagogical content knowledge

Other Key Factors

• Integrated STEM assessment designs
• Prepare teachers with pedagogical practices that encourage collaboration, dealing with failure, and perseverance
• STEM teacher education courses and workshops to address the integration piece directly
• Providing resources, materials, and equipment to create learning environments conducive for science inquiry
• Communication among all departments to facilitate cross-curricular initiatives