Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics Education Research Articles

Integrating inquiry and mathematical modeling when teaching a common topic in lower secondary school: an iSTEM approach

The world has been increasingly shaped by Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This has resulted in educational systems across the globe implementing STEM education. To reap maximum benefits, researchers are now advocating for the integration of STEM domains. In recent studies, the integration of science and mathematics has become increasingly popular. The domains are much more suitable for integration because of their fields of application and their mutual approach toward problem-solving. However, there is little empirical evidence to drive the development of a practical model for classroom implementation. This study aims to cover that gap through integrating mathematics and science concepts when teaching a common topic to two classes of Form 1 (13–14 years) students. A mathematics and a science teacher went through two cycles of lesson study, integrating and teaching the concept of density. Results show a strong synergy between the BSCS 5E instructional model of inquiry and mathematical modeling; hence the methodological approaches can be used to integrate common topics like density. Further, teacher collaboration, teacher immersion in the iSTEM practices, teacher’s knowledge, and skills of the other subject and an in-depth understanding of a problem and its contextualization, are variables that can be capitalized on to enhance the teacher’s capacity to implement innovative and integrated STEM programs effectively.

The Soccer-Playing Unicorn – Mitigating Gender Bias in AI-Created STEM Teaching Materials

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly being used in education for various purposes. In particular, AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, with their user-friendly interfaces are being explored in education to co-create teaching materials, provide advice and guidance to educators, simulate classroom scenarios, and offer personalized recommendations to students on how to study and approach subjects. With all the enthusiasm for these new opportunities, one should be aware of the risks due to potential biases in the generated content or the responses. These biases can be associated with factors such as gender, race, religion, or political orientation. As a consequence, educators who are using AI chatbots to (co-)create teaching materials need to have the knowledge and the strategies to mitigate such biases. This paper focuses on one particular type of bias, namely gender bias, and on specific disciplines, namely Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Gender bias in STEM education is particularly problematic because it may reinforce existing stereotypes about girls and women in STEM and contribute to their underrepresentation in STEM fields. To raise awareness of these risks of gender bias in AI-co-created STEM teaching materials, this paper identifies risks of gender bias by analysing potential usage patterns of AI chatbots by educators when creating teaching materials. An example of such a risk is if the AI chatbot generates educational materials that primarily portray men as STEM professionals and underrepresent women. This would exacerbate the lack of female role models in STEM. Therefore, strategies are developed that educators can apply to mitigate these risks. These strategies will be demonstrated using practical examples. This will allow them to break the vicious cycle of perpetuating stereotypes in STEM education. In addition, these examples demonstrate how AI chatbots can be used to make STEM education more inclusive, which may include co-creating educational materials tailored to individual interests and learning styles.

The early bird gets the worm: age of entry to STEM-related academic education – gender and SES differences

ABSTRACT Background The transition to adulthood in contemporary industrialized society, which once followed a fairly standard pattern, has undergone many changes in terms of timing and order of events. Today’s emerging adults are as likely as not to postpone their entry to college after high school, withdraw temporarily from studies after enrolling, and switch study tracks as well as colleges or universities. While there may be a risk of inappropriate educational choice for those of younger age due to low career maturity, a substantial ‘price’ may also be paid for delayed entry in terms of several labor market indicators. Purpose The study examines gender and SES differences in the age of entering an academic education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field in Israel. Sample and methods This research was conducted through an online survey of a representative sample of 313 STEM students. Results The findings show the non-significant effect of SES on the age of entering academic education among young women. In contrast, young men with higher SES were likely to start STEM education earlier compared to their lower SES counterparts. Conclusions In the competitive STEM-oriented labor market with its pronounced preference for younger graduates from academic institutions, low SES men who postponed their entry to academic institutions may thus be ‘punished’ for their relatively older age. Therefore, the timing of entering academic education should not be overlooked in social stratification models and theories. Identifying ‘risk groups’ in relation to postponing vs speeding up factors may provide insights for STEM policy makers and practitioners.

Global perspectives and methodological innovations in STEM education: a systematic mapping analysis of engineering design-based teacher training

PurposeThis study investigates a novel educational strategy in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teaching that integrates the engineering design process (EDP) as a framework. The strategy aims to help teachers explain STEM concepts in a simplified way. We employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology to enable a systematic review that evaluated the effectiveness of this approach in improving both teaching and learning in STEM subjects.Design/methodology/approachIn order to fulfill the objectives of the review, key data were extracted from each of the 400 articles that were reviewed from three databases: Scopus, ProQuest Central and EBSCO. Two types of analysis were conducted, namely descriptive analysis and literature classification.FindingsThis systematic review analyzed 44 articles on the EDP, focusing on 18 detailed studies mainly from ProQuest, SCOPUS and EBSCO. It revealed a limited focus on gender’s impact on EDP and a trend toward interdisciplinary use and integrated research approaches. The study underscores the need for further exploration of demographic influences and preparation programs in EDP across various disciplines, aiming to inform future research and educational policies.Originality/valueThe study’s value lies in its comprehensive assessment of engineering design (ED) research over the past decade, serving as a key reference point. It highlights progress in the field, consolidates findings and provides insights into the field’s evolution, guiding future research directions in ED.

Teachers’ perceptions of the barriers to STEM teaching in Qatar’s secondary schools: a structural equation modeling analysis

IntroductionEducators play a pivotal role in shaping students’ academic achievements, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. The instructional techniques employed by teachers significantly impact students’ decisions to pursue or persist in STEM disciplines. This research aims to explore the challenges faced by high school STEM teachers in Qatar in delivering effective STEM instruction.MethodsData was collected through a survey administered to 290 high school STEM teachers across thirty-nine schools in Qatar. The survey targeted teachers in the 11th and 12th grades. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was utilized to analyze the data and examine teachers’ perceived barriers to effective STEM instruction.ResultsThe findings revealed various barriers hindering STEM instruction. These barriers were categorized into school-related, student-related, technology-related, and teaching-related factors. All the hypothesized teaching barriers [i.e., (student-related: β = –0.243, p < 0.001); (school-related: β = –0.122, p < 0.001), (technologyrelated: β = –0.123, p = 0.040); and (instruction-related: β = –0.112, p < 0.018)] were negatively related to teachers’ STEM teaching. Among the various obstacles, it appears that the most formidable challenges for high school STEM teachers are related to students (β = –0.243, p < 0.001).DiscussionUnderstanding these barriers is crucial for informing educational policies and developing strategies to enhance STEM learning in Qatar’s high schools. Addressing these barriers is essential to provide adequate resources, professional development opportunities, and support systems. By addressing these challenges, Qatar can foster a conducive environment for effective STEM instruction, thereby nurturing a future generation of STEM professionals.

A Literature Review on the Practice and Challenges of Project-based Learning (PBL) in Teaching Primary (STEM) in China

With the rapid development of modern society, China is more and more eager for innovative talents; therefore, the national policy supports the adoption of Project-based Learning (PBL) pedagogy in Science, technology, engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Although PBL can develop students' ability to solve real-life problems, such as solving the problem of sewage treatment in life, thinking independently, and exploring actively, the implementation of PBL in STEM teaching in Chinese elementary schools is still a great challenge because the current level of teachers in China is inadequate and lacks systematic training. This paper will analyze the positive views and shortcomings of previous researchers in relevant topics of inquiry through the literature review method and then propose some new ideas for improvement. For example, schools need to be better resourced with teachers as well and the government can provide schools with more funds to buy equipment to ensure that teaching and learning are equipped.

ERANDA PATRA (Ricinus communis L.) AS A KRIMIGHNA DRAVYA (ANTIMICROBIAL DRUG) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ESCHERICHIA COLI BACTERIA- AN IN VITRO STUDY

One of the Department of Educations (DepEd) programs is the K-12 program. They extended it for two more years to give students more time to consider their options for the future. The Senior High School (SHS) program had four tracks: Arts and Design, Sports, Technical and Vocational, and Academic, which included the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) strand. STEM is understood to be an integral part of math and science courses at the school level. It also contributed to the development of 21st-century abilities for all learners. This study determined the status of STEM students in the Philippines. Through descriptive research, this study described and analyzed the trends in the enrolment of STEM students as well as the factors that explain the dropout rate of STEM students. The data under this study came from a trusted source, which is the Department of Educations reports of enrollment from 2016- 2021. The enrollment rate and completion rate of SHS-STEM students are steadily increasing year after year. Thus, different intervention activities were proposed to address the identified factors that led to students dropping out of the STEM track. In addition, the findings of this study were used to improve the STEM strands implementation in SHS and helped future generations as well as the Department of Education in the effective implementation of STEM education across the country. KEYWORDS: STEM, Department of Education, SHS, Enrollment rate, Completion rate.

Implementation of Lesson Study in the context of STEM education in a rural setting in Ireland: challenges and opportunities

PurposeThis research seeks to explore the potential of Lesson Study as a vehicle to support professional development (PD) in a rural, Irish primary school. Lesson Study was utilised to design and implement integrated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) lessons with young children (ages 4–7 years).Design/methodology/approachThree teachers were introduced to and participated in four cycles of Lesson Study over the course of one school year. Qualitative data were generated from interviews, collaborative weekly meetings and observation sheets.FindingsAnalysis suggests that Lesson Study supported the development of a culture of collaboration and provided an opportunity for teachers to share their knowledge. Findings also reveal that Lesson Study motivated teachers to reflect on their role within the classroom and enabled them to move away from teacher-led approaches. Although teachers perceived Lesson Study to be a beneficial form of PD, factors constrained their engagement, including practical, cultural and sustainability challenges.Practical implicationsThe study explores the adaptability of Lesson Study in first level education in the context of STEM education. It reveals teachers’ first experience of Lesson Study, given its stark contrast to more “traditional” PD experiences they are accustomed to. This article will, therefore, be of interest to teachers, school leaders and policy makers.Originality/valueThis paper contributes initial findings to a currently under-researched area, Lesson Study in a rural context. This study also combines Lesson Study with STEM education, which has not been widely explored.

Decoding "University War (대학전쟁)": STEM Education and Cultural Influence

University War (대학전쟁)" presents a captivating intersection of psychological, educational, and cultural dimensions within the context of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. The Korean television show phenomenon engages viewers worldwide, transcending cultural boundaries with its gripping narrative of intellectual competition among South Korea's elite universities. Through psychological theories such as Bandura's social learning theory and Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory, the show underscores the significance of academic excellence and the intrinsic motivation driving contestants. Moreover, "University War" promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for STEM fields, reflecting broader societal attitudes toward education and career aspirations. As educators explore ways to sustain interest in STEM among K-Pop wave culture enthusiasts through initiatives inspired by the series, University War stands as a compelling case study highlighting the transformative potential of popular media in shaping educational outcomes and societal perceptions in the digital age.

The Role of STEM Education in Teaching and Learning in South Africa’s Underprivileged Societies

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in some quarters of African society is wrongly perceived because the importance of this contemporary educational approach to knowledge is not properly taught, understood, and harnessed among teachers and learners. The fact that STEM education is a recent educational development and a subject of interest, especially within African educational institutions, suggests that its benefits in teaching and learning are not well-maximized and enjoyed by teachers and students. Using particular pieces of literature and the outcomes of a case study of several discussions with some students and teachers in Cosmo City, this researcher highlights that some underprivileged people’s perceptions regarding the current status and the importance of STEM education were misunderstood. The researcher used the concept of “travel” as a topic to explore how STEM education can be taught and understood among students. Other objectives of this research are to encourage government educational agencies and other organizations concerned with educational development to know and assist underprivileged schools in effectively providing STEM education. The study was achieved by expounding on some of the problems underprivileged schools in South Africa face concerning STEM education. The result obtained from this research indicates that the poor or inadequate utilization of STEM education is responsible for its wrong perception in underprivileged communities in most African societies. The researcher concludes that adequate STEM education that includes the provision of necessary study materials and trained teachers will result in the best maximization of this form of knowledge among all sundry, irrespective of an individual’s socio-economic background.

Towards a Socio-Constructivist Didactic Model for Integrated STEM Education

AbstractAs science education shifts toward integrated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) approaches, guidelines for designing teaching and learning episodes that integrate curricular content and procedures from multiple disciplines become increasingly in demand. The existing plethora of conceptualizations of STEM makes difficult such an endeavor, leading to ill-defined lesson plans focused on only two –mainly science and technology or science and mathematics– out of the four STEM disciplines. The question addressed, therefore, is how the integrated STEM approach could be translated into classroom practices that integrate the four STEM disciplines in a way that is consistent and coherent with elementary education curricula. This manuscript advances a theoretically informed didactic model for the design and implementation of integrated STEM in elementary education. The article discusses how the model uses socio-constructivist principles to establish intentional and explicit connections between STEM disciplines via scientific inquiry, engineering design, and computational thinking practices. The model is rooted in learning theories developed by Piaget, Vygotsky, Ausubel, and Bruner and could serve as a roadmap for educators and researchers designing integrated STEM lessons. Future empirical research testing the model is warranted.

Мотивуємо учнів до успіху: огляд нових проєктів у викладанні на основі STEM-освіти

Motivation involves emotional, social and biological phenomenons, being a factor responsible for directing behaviors and achieving goals. It drives individuals to give their best, doing their best to achieve what they want, overcoming barriers. Student motivation has become a central point to achieve maximum satisfaction, performance and productivity. STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education research provides compelling evidence that active-learning classes improve the overall learning of students. This study aims to understand thru a quantitative investigation how students see changes thru this new active learning students and how motivated are for this kind of changes.

STEMming the tide: New perspectives on careers and turnover

SummaryThe question of why so many people leave science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs continues to echo through social science research and Government policy. This is not surprising given the considerable investments into uptake and quality of STEM education and that STEM workers have a pivotal role to play in addressing current and future grand challenges. Yet, too many individuals with tertiary degrees in STEM—disproportionately women, racial minorities, and the underprivileged—leave or pursue careers in non‐STEM fields. While demand for employment in STEM continues to grow, such persistent STEM defections present a significant challenge. We offer an integrative special issue of eight empirical articles capturing current thinking and evidence on employee retention and turnover, both within and beyond the realm of STEM. Our thematic analysis of the articles reveals overarching themes around the fundamental question of why people choose to stay in their jobs and why they leave. From this, we provide a future research agenda recognizing the myriad work and nonwork factors influencing the desire and ability to stay in one's chosen profession, particularly in critical sectors where gender and minority attrition rates prevail.

Secondary School Students’ Interest in the Core Components of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM): Implications for Instruction Readiness

The implementation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in secondary school has important role in scientific and technological advancement of a nation and students are the main receiver of the instruction. This study investigated the students’ interest as an implication of students’ readiness for STEM instruction in Gusau, Zamfara state. The study adopted descriptive survey design. Simple random sampling was used to select 100 students of SS 2 from private and public schools making total of 200 students. An instrument title Senior Secondary School Readiness for STEM Instruction was used to collect data. The instrument was validated and pilot tested which yielded reliability coefficient of 0.86. Three research questions were raised and answered and two hypotheses were stated and tested at 0.05 level of significant. The result of the study showed that senior secondary school students in Gusau, Zamfara state are ready for STEM instruction. There was no significant different between the responses of students based on gender and school type. It was therefore recommended that education stakeholder should expedite the implementation of STEM in senior secondary school to harvest students’ readiness for better achievement.

Assessing higher education students' perception towards their engagement in pedagogical STEM approach

This study focuses on evaluating university students' views on their involvement in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teaching methods. The aim was to explore the various factors that affect students' participation in these educational approaches. The research looked at how teaching methods, the use of technology, teamwork, interaction, motivation, and interest all play a role in engaging students with STEM education. Using a descriptive, cross-sectional study design, data were gathered from an online survey completed by 321 senior students from four universities in Mogadishu, selected through a non-random purposive sampling method. The data were analyzed using Smart PLS-4's structural equation modeling (SEM) and SPSS 22.0 software. The results showed significant links between teaching methods, technology use, teamwork, interaction, motivation, interest, and student involvement in STEM education. The study disproved the initial hypotheses (H1, H2, and H3) with p-values of 0.006, 0.000, and 0.000, each below the standard threshold of 0.05. Based on these findings, the researchers suggest improving teaching methods, technology use, teamwork, interaction, motivation, and interest to boost student involvement in STEM education. These results are expected to help shape future STEM education strategies and offer important information for educators and policymakers to improve university settings and teaching methods to further increase student involvement in STEM subjects.

STEM education advancements in African contexts: A comprehensive review

In the rapidly evolving global landscape, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education stands as a pivotal factor in driving economic growth and technological advancement, particularly in the African context, where it faces unique challenges and opportunities. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the advancements, challenges, and future prospects of STEM education in African contexts, exploring the historical evolution, current state, and key challenges of STEM education, along with the innovations, roles of government and non-governmental organizations, and comparative analysis with global trends. The paper methodically examines various facets of STEM education in Africa, including its historical background, current practices, challenges, and innovations. It delves into the role of digital technologies, gender dynamics, collaborative efforts, and international partnerships in STEM education. It employs a systematic literature review approach and focuses on peer-reviewed articles and scientific reports to comprehensively understand the subject. The study concludes that STEM education in Africa is marked by challenges such as resource limitations, gender disparities, and inadequate teacher training, but also highlights significant innovations and the potential for technological integration. The paper recommends policy reforms focusing on teacher training, curriculum development, resource allocation, and gender equity, emphasizing the need for leveraging technological innovations and fostering international collaborations for the advancement of STEM education in Africa.

Integrated STEM Education in Indonesia: What Do Science Teachers Know and Implement?

Integrated science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education has been a popular topic worldwide for the last few years. However, only a few studies have examined this topic in Indonesia. This literature review is to fill the gap by focusing on science teachers’ perspectives on the STEM education approach at the secondary school level, including what they know and what they implement in science classrooms. For this purpose, 48 research articles published in national and international journals and judged to be pertinent to the current study, were reviewed. The results emerging from most of the existing research indicated that Indonesian science teachers in general were familiar with the integrated STEM teaching approach. However, more than half of them never tried implementing it in their classes. In addition, the studies revealed that project-based learning was the most frequently used method in STEM-based science classes. Teachers in science classes mainly employed integrated STEM education approach to promote 21st century skills such as creative and critical thinking, problem-solving, and literacy.

Pushing-in single-sex schools for enrichment of both enrolment and gender equity in STEM careers

BackgroundQuality education has been emphasized by the world Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) of the 17 goals the world set to achieve by 2030. According to the twenty-first century skills, quality education obliges to equip learners to compete in the twenty-first century job market. In addition to enriching enrolment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), leveraging of gender equity is indispensable.ObjectivesThis study revealed and processed data to guide education policy maker’s decisions that could ensure quality education. Thus, the study shall lead to shape educational practices leading to achieve SDG4 timelines.MethodologyThe authors studied results of the Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) of 52 coeducations and six single-sex secondary schools in Mbeya city. Out of 52 co-education secondary schools, the researchers selected the best six secondary schools in performance and compared those to the six single-sex secondary schools.ResultsThe study revealed that, the six single-sex schools outperformed co-education schools. In addition, single-sex schools were richer of girls’ enrolment than coeducation schools in STEM education. Although, coeducation schools leveraged gender equity in STEM performance, but there was an acute drop of number of number of girls in coeducation schools.ConclusionThis study calls for awareness and seek for more insights into the acute girl’s school dropouts in best-performing coeducation schools, review of educational policies so that the world achieves SDG4 by 2030. Therefore, the study wide-opens that though challenged by many, single-sex schools are decent and remains an addition to achieve the SDG4.

The Assistance of Sukosari Bandongan Elementary School Teachers through STEM Education as a Provision for Learning Innovation

Background. This community service program is encouraged by the need for partners, which is the absence of specific activities related to the development of science and technology. Therefore, through the introduction of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in the learning, it is expected that this program can provide a lighter for the Sukosari Bandongan Elementary School teachers. STEM forms quality human resources to reason, think critically, logically, and systematically so that later they can be useful in facing global challenges and solving problems in everyday life.
 Purpose. This program aims to provide teachers with learning innovations through STEM education.
 Method. The activity consists of training in making simple products from the surrounding environment which can later be used as learning media. The training is carried out using lecture, discussion, practice, and mentoring methods.
 Results. The expected output is an increase in basic knowledge, especially in the field of science and technology which is manifested in simple STEM-based products. There are also some other products like training modules, posters, and publications of service results on social media.  
 Conclusion. STEM education is a form of assistance to Sukosari elementary school teachers in improving learning innovation. The teachers need assistance to explore learning materials that can be integrated with STEM. They have very good motivation in practicing simple STEM-based tools. This can be seen from those who actively participate in the training sessions, practice properly, and ask some questions about some matters they do not yet clearly understand. The created simple products can be simple demonstration examples in a STEM-nuanced learning.

CURRENT SITUATION AND SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TEACHING IN STEM EDUCATION IN GENERAL SCHOOLS: A CASE STUDY IN SOME NORTHERN PROVINCES OF VIETNAM

<p>The paper delves into the state and challenges of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in schools. By conducting an intensive survey, it offers insights into the current status of STEM education and highlights the perceptions and difficulties faced by educators in adopting STEM methodologies. The study reveals that while there's an increasing recognition of the importance of STEM in the natural sciences curriculum, several obstacles impede its full implementation. A significant challenge is the difficulty in correlating real-world issues with natural science subjects, making it tough for educators to make lessons engaging and relevant. Furthermore, the lack of appropriate educational tools and materials, combined with inadequate infrastructural facilities in schools, further hampers the quality of teaching. Moreover, the research identifies a gap in the training of educators. Many teachers are unfamiliar with STEM, lacking both understanding and confidence in the approach. This is exacerbated by time constraints in the classroom and insufficient support from parents. Additionally, the paper points out that only a limited number of natural science topics can be aptly integrated into STEM projects, creating a narrower scope for educators. To address these challenges, the paper suggests the need for better training for teachers specifically tailored to STEM requirements, more substantial institutional support, and fostering a closer relationship between STEM education and the broader natural sciences curriculum.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0601/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>