Essentials of STEM

Introduction to STEM

© Prof. Juan Peña, Faculty of Education

Complutense University of Madrid

stem education

essentials

strengths

weaknesses

education modes

New challenges in Science and technology education

Introduction to stem

origin

essentials

Acronym for the disciplines of

When? Why?

STEM

Science - Technology - Engineering - Mathematics

New challenges in Science and technology education

Introduction to stem

All levels of education: From pre-school to higher education Formal and informal settings

To provide: Scientists, engineers and digital specialists for solving global challenges Technologically proficient workers Scientifically and technologically literate citizens

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main features

Science - Technology - Engineering - Mathematics

Characteristics:

Problem Solving

STEM problems require you to quickly work to make sense of problems as they are presented, and work productively to propose real and appropriate solutions.

Skills

Creativity

STEM requires the ability to look at and propose solutions to a problem through multiple approaches, including ones that are highly creative or “out-of-the-box.” In STEM, mistakes and failed attempts are positive experiences, offering opportunities for deeper learning.

Standards

NGSC

Inquiry Skills

STEM requires hands-on, active participation to effectively solve problems. Students are the drivers of solutions and should be asking the questions, proposing the ideas, generating and testing solutions, and making decisions based on data to understand how to refine ideas further.

Math & Science Skills

The mathematics and science skills you are learning in school are the foundation of STEM and must be applied in pursuit of solutions. The math and science used to solve problems will connect to and extend your coursework, as well as highlight connections between ideas and subject areas.

Engineering-Design Thinking

In solving STEM problems, the use of engineering-design thinking is vital. In this kind of thinking, you must identify the problem at hand, research potential solutions, build prototypes, test, redesign, test again, and iterate further as needed. Each step in the process moves you closer to creating a functional solution.

Critical Thinking

Effective STEM learning requires you to analyze information, evaluate designs, reflect on your thinking, synthesize new ideas, and propose creative solutions. All of these skills are vital to becoming an independent, critical thinker.

Collaboration

Big challenges are rarely solved by individuals. Working on STEM problems also involves learning to work as a productive part of a collaborative team.

New challenges in Science and technology education

Introduction to stem

STEM aims to solve real-world challenges

Objective of expanding people’s abilities

Strong emphasis on critical and creative-thinking skills

perspectives

New challenges in Science and technology education

Introduction to stem

Citizenship

Gender

Suistainability

Women’s representation in science and engineering declines further at the graduate level and yet again in the transition to the workplace.

Education is the key to mitigating environmental (and associated social) collapse, then both STEM and sustainability education have a role to play.

Citizenship education develops the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes need to build a more just, peaceful, tolerant, inclusive, secure and sustainable world

origin

The acronym STEM came into common use after 1996, following an interagency meeting on science education held at the US National Science Foundation.STEM has evolved into ...

• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Mathematics

STEAM

STEAM adds ‘Arts’ to the elements of STEM, which benefits from creative and innovative thinking. Moreover, arts and humanities help teach morals, values, ethics and responsability.

STREAM

STREAM incorporates another layer to STEM and STEAM by adding ‘Reading’ into the equation. Reading or literacy promotes critical thinking and creativity.

New challenges in Science and technology education

Introduction to stem

STRENGTHS

By exposing students to STEM and giving them opportunities to explore STEM-related concepts, they will develop a passion for it and hopefully pursue a job in a STEM field. A STEM-based curriculum has real-life situations to help the student learn. Important: Promotes equality in education. It benefits both male and female students equally.

Fosters ingenuity and creativity

If the human mind can conceive new ideas and innovations, the human mind can achieve it

Benefits

Builds resilience

During STEM education activities, students learn in a safe environment that allows them to fall and try again. STEM education stresses the value of failure as a learning exercise, which will enable students to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. This allows students to build confidence and resilience.

Encourages experimentation

Without experimentation, many of the technological advancements that have occurred in the last couple of decades would not be possible.

Encourages teamwork

Students of varying levels of ability can work together in teams to find solutions to problems, record data, write reports, give presentations, etc.

Encourages knowledge application

Students are taught skills that they can use in the real world. This motivates students to learn.

Encourages tech use

STEM learning teaches kids about the power of technology and innovation.

Teaches problem-solving

Students learn how to examine problems and then create a plan to solve them.

Encourages adaption

To succeed in life, students have to be able to apply what they have learned to a variety of scenarios.

New challenges in Science and technology education

Introduction to stem

WEAKNESSES

• No clear-cut guidelines for educators.
• No appropiate qualifications to teach in the areas of math or science (elementary level).
• No national standards
• No teacher certification.
• Can be costly.
• Comes at the expense of other subject matter.
• Most school systems do not teach integrated curriculums, therefore teachers do not know how to integrate.

New challenges in Science and technology education

Introduction to stem

education modes

Integrated, interdisciplinary education

• At least two or more disciplines are taught in combination to provide a holistic education in science and technology-focused environments.

• It is the synergistic fusion of many disciplines into one new framework, for example, STEM as a new subject in schools teaching science and technology in combination with real-world examples and special pedagogical guidance.

New challenges in Science and technology education

Introduction to stem

Play

education modes

Traditional single-discipline education

• STEM is only an umbrella or a convenient abbreviation of four disciplines with their disciplinary distinctions intact.
• This involves traditional learning with an emphasis on discipline-specific knowledge and technical skills for particular tasks. For example, in schools these would be subjects such as maths, science, coding or technology.

New challenges in Science and technology education

Introduction to stem

STEM education

Juan Peña Martínez

jpe01@ucm.eswww.ucm.es/juanpena

New challenges in Science and technology education

Introduction to stem

jpe01@ucm.es