Integrating STEM subjects allows students contextualize the knowledge acquired in each subject and connect it with real world challenges or STEM professions. For example, if we want to introduce students to the importance of sustainability, we will need to examine this theme from various angles. Consequently, in the Technology subject students will learn how to seek relevant information, in their Mathematics class they will be introduced in ways to gather and present data and in their Biology or Economics class they will have the time to reflect and learn about the ecosystem or design projects about sustainability respectively. This is the first step to ensure that students even as early on as in Primary school will be able to understand how this knowledge can help tackle or solve everyday problems
By integrating more than one STEM subjects we encourage the use of pedagogical methods such as Project-Based Learning and prompt students to work collaboratively. The use of hands-on activities and the respective resources is required, but most importantly, teachers need to make good use of the resources they have among them and work with their colleagues.
The collaboration between teachers in different STEM disciplines is already reported as a positive factor to self-efficacy. Integrating engineering and science provides opportunities for improving student learning and interest, especially when they are exposed not just to science content but also to scientific enquiry. In fact, scientific inquiry and design-based thinking underlie decision-making processes across Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Innovator: Erjona Todaj, American Corner Kukas