STEM leaders and teachers views of integrating entrepreneurial practices into STEM education in high school in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Acting in an entrepreneurial way and exercising entrepreneurial competencies are essential in current society because of its uncertainty and constant change. That is why it is contended that enhancing students’ abilities to design innovative products and being able to deliver them to the market become a priority in the educational sector. A sequential exploratory mixed method was conducted to collect both qualitative and quantitative data needed to fulfill the purpose of the study. The theoretical perspective adopted relies on education through entrepreneurship where the aim of interdisciplinary E-STEM learning is to incorporate entrepreneurial practices into STEM education in high school. Focus group interviews were employed to explore STEM leaders’ views regarding incorporating entrepreneurial practices into STEM education. Variables identified were used to develop a questionnaire for STEM teachers to investigate their perceptions regarding current STEM practices that enhance students’ entrepreneurial skills. Academic leaders believed in infusing entrepreneurial pedagogies into existing STEM curriculum with a constant support of business teachers because they are more aware of entrepreneurial learning activities than other teachers in school. Conclusions from the study argue that competency-based approach is preferable to implement E-STEM learning because it allows for a new situated learning platform where value creation practices could be integrated with project-based problem-solving practices in the UAE.