University of the People School of Education EDUC 5282: Advanced Practices Sec STEM Written Assignment 1 Dr. Michael Jarret June 24, 2021 Abstract. STEM education has become an integral part of the contemporary school system today. This integration of the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) clearly shifts from the traditional approach of teaching the disciplines independently. It has been observed that teaching the disciplines independently creates fragmented ideas amongst the learners leaving them with gaps in comprehending the STEM attributes. Today’s schools call for an integration of all STEM disciplines because times have changed. Technological applications have become so important in all disciplines, for instance studying science and mathematics effectively calls for knowledge on how to manipulate computer applications like CAD, CAM, and computer simulations and animations. These and other applications of technology allow students to explore STEM subjects in greater detail and in practical application. STEM education is known to empower learners developing in them creative, critical thinking, problem solving and inquiry-based skills. Such skills are extremely relevant today as they align with the 21st century skills which many schools are promoting today. Hence, it makes a lot of sense to teach the four disciplines of STEM as an interdisciplinary entity than teaching them as separate subjects. It has been observed that teaching STEM as an interdisciplinary entity offers students a chance to make sense of the world holistically rather than learn isolated bits and pieces. Why it is important to teach the four disciplines of STEM as an Interdisciplinary entity. STEM education is becoming a very important component in our school system today. Many countries across the world are over hauling their educational systems to make them more practical and relevant to the needs of the society. I come from Uganda and the government has overhauled the lower secondary curriculum from the colonial theoretical curriculum to practical and vocational subjects which instill skills amongst the learners. A lot of emphasis is being put on biology, chemistry, physics, Mathematics and agricultural related disciplines. The author believes merging the four disciplines of STEM and teaching it as an interdisciplinary entity will go a long way in removing the traditional barriers erected between the four disciplines, by integrating them into one cohesive teaching and learning paradigm (Lantz, 2009). Teaching the four disciplines independently creates fragmented ideas about the disciplines and does not provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the STEM attributes. According to Tsupros (2009) cited by Lantz (2009), “STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real world lessons as students apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise enabling the development of STEM literacy and with it the ability to compete in the new economy”. This is extremely important because the world is evolving so fast and there is need to acquaint learners with skills that will make them manage to survive in the evolving globalized world. Merging the four disciplines is extremely important in instilling the attributes of STEM education in our curriculum. These attributes develop practical skills in the learners and help to develop their creativity and critical thinking skills. STEM attributes which include but not limited to; putting a lot of emphasis on technology and engineering in science, emphasis on innovation and invention, developing a culture of questioning amongst the learners (Morrison, 2006). Need to be taught as an interdisciplinary entity as this will offer a chance to the students to make sense of the world holistically rather than learn isolated bits and pieces of phenomenon (p.4). Merging the four disciplines therefore comes with lots of benefits for instance Furner and Kumar (2007) as cited by (Ring, 2017) suggest that using an integrated curriculum provides students with a highly relevant, less fragmented, and more stimulating learning experience than curricula that are not integrated. Studies have shown that integration allows students to determine when to apply their knowledge and encourages them to examine relationships between multiple concept (p.4). I believe teaching the four disciplines of STEM as an entity promotes a studentcentered approach to learning, encourages collaborative learning amongst learners and develops creative, problem solving and critical thinking skills in the learners. Students are encouraged to discover for themselves, learn from their past experiences and practically carry out experiments and draw conclusions from the results. For instance, whenever I take children to a weather station during my geography field excursions, they are given an opportunity to manipulate the instruments them selves as they measure the amount of rainfall using a rain gauge, temperature of the day using the maximum and minimum thermometers, air pressure using the barometer. Therefore, integrating the four disciplines helps to develop a holistic student with all attributes which include problem solvers, innovators, inventors, logical thinkers, technologically literate and self-reliant (Morrison, 2006). It is imperative that teachers tailor classroom instructions to encourage children to create their own meaning through openended exploration and discussion. The teacher should then act as a facilitator, coach, and fellow learner rather than the one who tells everyone else the right answer or the right way to do something (The Children’s School, n.d.). Merging the four disciplines of STEM is therefore extremely important in a diverse and inclusive classroom setting as it allows for all learning needs of children to be catered for because the classroom is arranged with different practical learning centers allowing learners to move from one center to another. On the other hand, the author admits that there are many misconceptions about STEM education. Many schools indeed put a lot of emphasis on science and mathematics than on engineering and technology probably due to lack of understanding of how technology and engineering fit into the trans-disciplinary nature of STEM education (Lantz, 2009). However, the author appreciates that merging the disciplines is indeed important, for instance many classrooms across the world have had to be conducted remotely due to the covid pandemic. As a result of this many learners and teachers have had to acquaint themselves with technology skills in order to remain relevant. Indeed, the author had to learn many computer skills in order to conduct online classes. Lantz (2009) justifies the importance of the technology component in STEM education by asserting that “The technology component allows for a deeper understanding of the three other components of STEM education. It allows students to apply what they have learned, utilizing computers with specialized and professional applications like CAD, CAM, and computer simulations and animations”. It is very important for students to learn technological applications because all other STEM disciplines today need students who are well acquainted with computer skills to study well many science and mathematical principles. On this ground therefore, the author believes it is better to merge the four disciplines of STEM and teach it as an interdisciplinary entity than teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics as separate subjects. References Lantz, H. (2009). Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education. What Form? What Function? Retrieved from https://dornsife.usc.edu/assets/sites/1/docs/jep/STEMEducationArticle.pdf Morrison, J. (2006). TIES STEM education monograph series, attributes of STEM education. Retrieved from http://daytonos.com/pdf/stem.pdf Ring, E. A. (2017, May). Teacher Conceptions of Integrated STEM Education and How They Are Reflected in Integrated STEM Curriculum Writing and Classroom Implementation. Retrieved from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/211345256.pdf The Children's School . (n.d.). Progressive Education. https://www.thechildrensschool.info/progressive-education
