scholarly journals Leveraging Social Capital to Broaden Participation in STEM

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-43
Author(s):  
Guan K. Saw
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Native Americans ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Underrepresented Students ◽  
After School ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
K 12

Broadening participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is critical to the nation’s economic growth and national security. In K–12 and higher education, researchers and educators increasingly employ the concept of social capital to develop programs for improving STEM learning, motivation, and participation of young students. STEM social capital in education comprises STEM-oriented resources—whether instrumental, informational, or emotional—that students access through their social networks. Major theoretical perspectives, research evidence, and promising practices are associated with the concepts of social capital in STEM education. Students’ social capital in STEM education (derived from families, peers, teachers, and professional networks) demonstrably promotes their STEM educational outcomes and career paths. Inclusive STEM schools, mentoring, and after-school programs are some promising approaches that can enhance STEM social capital and outcomes of underrepresented students, particularly women, Blacks/Hispanics/Native Americans, youth with low socioeconomic status, and persons with disabilities.

scholarly journals How STEM Academy Teachers Conceptualize and Implement STEM Education

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-58
Author(s):  
Teruni Lamberg ◽  
Nicole Trzynadlowski
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Teachers ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Teacher Interviews ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Subject Areas ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Reading Activities ◽  
Science Activities

STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education has been gaining increasing nationwide attention. While the STEM movement has ambitious goals for k-12 education, a lack of shared understanding exists of what STEM is as well as how to implement STEM in the elementary classroom. This study investigates how seven elementary teachers in three STEM academy schools conceptualize and implement STEM in their classrooms. Teacher interviews were conducted. The findings reveal that the majority of teachers believe that STEM education involves integrating STEM subject areas. STEM activities consisted of student-led research and reading activities on STEM topics. Two teachers described STEM as involving “hands-on” science activities. Teachers at each STEM academy school conceptualized and implemented STEM differently. How STEM was implemented at each school was based on how teachers interpreted STEM and the resources they had access to. The STEM coaches played a central role in supporting the elementary teachers to plan and implement lessons. Teachers relied on them for ideas to plan and teach STEM lessons. The results of this study indicate that as more schools embrace the STEM movement, a unified understanding and resources are needed to support teachers.

scholarly journals Understanding intrinsic challenges to STEM instructional practices for Chinese teachers based on their beliefs and knowledge base

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Dong ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Yunying Yang ◽  
Premnadh M. Kurup
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Mathematical Problem ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Chinese Society ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Chinese Teachers ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
K 12

Abstract Background China has great student participation in STEM education. Chinese society has a progressive and positive attitude towards STEM as it is considered to provide more opportunities in life. Teachers play a vital role in the success of any STEM program in K-12 schools. However, teachers are facing instructional challenges because of the interdisciplinary nature of the STEM curriculum and the current typical school structure. The success of the STEM programs depends on teachers’ beliefs and their knowledge in adapting to instructional implementation of STEM concepts. Results The data (n = 216) was collected from STEM primary and secondary teachers from 25 provinces in mainland China. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied, and Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between Chinese STEM teachers’ beliefs, knowledge, implementation, and the intrinsic challenges of STEM education; t tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to ascertain whether there were differences. The structural equation model (SEM) was applied to identify interrelationships. The results indicated that Chinese STEM teachers encounter higher-level intrinsic challenges to instructional implementations based on their beliefs and knowledge. Teachers who utilize their experience of teaching science as their main discipline and then attempt to integrate STEM using mathematics and engineering are likely to encounter higher-level intrinsic challenges in implementation. Conclusion The intrinsic challenges perceived by Chinese teachers in the practice of STEM education can be predicted by their beliefs and knowledge base. Teachers who understand the nature and pedagogy of STEM education are more likely to encounter lower-level intrinsic challenges of STEM teaching, while teachers who utilize their main discipline when conducting integrated STEM learning activities through modeling based on science, technology, engineering, and mathematical problem situations are more likely to encounter higher-level intrinsic challenges. This study also reveals that there are some significant differences in the level of STEM teachers’ beliefs, knowledge base, instructional practice, and their intrinsic challenges based on their teaching grade, seniority, and experience of STEM training and teaching.

Computational Thinking in K–12

2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuchi Grover ◽  
Roy Pea
Keyword(s):  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Current State ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
K 12

Jeannette Wing’s influential article on computational thinking 6 years ago argued for adding this new competency to every child’s analytical ability as a vital ingredient of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning. What is computational thinking? Why did this article resonate with so many and serve as a rallying cry for educators, education researchers, and policy makers? How have they interpreted Wing’s definition, and what advances have been made since Wing’s article was published? This article frames the current state of discourse on computational thinking in K–12 education by examining mostly recently published academic literature that uses Wing’s article as a springboard, identifies gaps in research, and articulates priorities for future inquiries.

scholarly journals Best IASL Conference 2017 Paper: Preparing Teacher Librarians to Support STEM Education

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Melissa P. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Stem Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Integration Of Technology ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Teacher Librarians ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Pre Service Teacher

A current focus in schools in the United States is STEM education, which prepares students for successful employment and post-secondary studies that require unique and more-technically advanced skills through teaching and learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This approach is grounded in problem solving, discovery, and exploratory learning, which requires students to actively engage in a situation in order to find its solution. Students engage in STEM learning in many different ways, with technology and digital resources playing an important role. The prominence of technology in STEM education provides leadership opportunities for teacher librarians. Yet, teacher librarians must be prepared to lead in the integration of technology to support STEM education. This report presents identified needs of teacher librarians in regards to supporting STEM education and discusses implications for better preparing pre-service teacher librarians to lead in order to address the needs of a new generation of learners.

A Novel Strategy to Improve STEM Education

2015 ◽  
pp. 1215-1226
Author(s):  
Samar I. Swaid
Keyword(s):  
Stem Education ◽  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Instructional Delivery ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Computing Services ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Low Performance ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Novel Strategy

Undergraduate traditional instructional delivery that does not utilize computation is linked significantly to students' low performance and thereby attrition. Over the last two decades, new computational technologies, information, and communication have emerged, creating comprehensive cyberinfrastructure-based service systems, or what is termed here e-science. E-science environments are virtual systems that support data management, data mining, information acquisition, visualization, computing services, and people collaboration over the Web. Although a number of attempts have been successful in utilizing e-science environments to change how research is conducted, using e-science environments for education has been rarely realized. This chapter describes a project that aims to transform Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education through using e-science systems at the undergraduate level. The strategy is built on three arms: (1) injecting Computational Thinking (CT) in STEM education; (2) using e-science for STEM learning; and (3) building a community-of-practice around e-science. By using e-science resources and services, an inquiry-based approach to learning can be the key to students' motivations, achievements, and enthusiasm for science.

A Novel Strategy to Improve STEM Education

2014 ◽  
pp. 860-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samar I. Swaid
Keyword(s):  
Stem Education ◽  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Instructional Delivery ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Computing Services ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Low Performance ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Novel Strategy

Undergraduate traditional instructional delivery that does not utilize computation is linked significantly to students' low performance and thereby attrition. Over the last two decades, new computational technologies, information, and communication have emerged, creating comprehensive cyberinfrastructure-based service systems, or what is termed here e-science. E-science environments are virtual systems that support data management, data mining, information acquisition, visualization, computing services, and people collaboration over the Web. Although a number of attempts have been successful in utilizing e-science environments to change how research is conducted, using e-science environments for education has been rarely realized. This chapter describes a project that aims to transform Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education through using e-science systems at the undergraduate level. The strategy is built on three arms: (1) injecting Computational Thinking (CT) in STEM education; (2) using e-science for STEM learning; and (3) building a community-of-practice around e-science. By using e-science resources and services, an inquiry-based approach to learning can be the key to students' motivations, achievements, and enthusiasm for science.

Fixing STEM Workforce and Teacher Shortages: How Goal Congruity Can Inform Individuals and Institutions

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda B. Diekman ◽  
Tessa M. Benson-Greenwald
Keyword(s):  
Stem Education ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Teacher Shortages ◽  
Recruitment And Retention ◽  
Occupational Roles ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Education Careers ◽  
Stem Workforce ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
K 12

As demands increase for individuals with expertise in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), educational institutions and workplaces seek to identify strategies to recruit and retain talented individuals in STEM pathways. We investigate recruitment and retention into the STEM workforce and into primary and secondary STEM education careers by analyzing whether a particular role allows an individual to fulfill goals. The two occupational pathways reviewed here pose different goal congruity challenges: The STEM workforce seems to lack communal (other-oriented) goal opportunities, but math and science K-12 teaching seems to lack agentic (self-oriented) goal opportunities. Restructuring educational and occupational roles to maximize the pursuit of valued goals can encourage STEM recruitment and retention.

Women and STEM Education in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 211-225
Author(s):  
Omowunmi Sola Agboola
Keyword(s):  
Stem Education ◽  
School Funding ◽  
Traditional Education ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Learning Aids ◽  
The Government ◽  
Trained Teachers ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Technological Experience ◽  
Nigerian Students

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education teach the four disciplines in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Globally, the STEM areas are in the forefront of economic development. The government of Nigeria has already forged partnerships and is drawing upon the technological experience of other countries to build new STEM learning opportunities for Nigerian students. The federal government has established several federal universities of science and technology with the sole purpose of improving the teaching of STEM areas. Traditional education in Nigeria challenges range from poverty, poor school funding, poorly trained teachers, inadequate learning aids, incessant strikes, among others. It is time that Nigeria realizes that women and girls continue to be extremely underrepresented in the sciences and incorporate them in the new programme because ensuring that more girls receive a quality education will reap dividends for the safety, security, and prosperity of the nation and for the next generations.

scholarly journals Engaging learners in STEM education

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Krajcik ◽  
İbrahim Delen
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Practical Knowledge ◽  
Student Thinking ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Support Students

In this manuscript we focus on how to develop STEM learning environments, and how STEM can be implemented in K-12 schools. We focus on the following question: “How can we support students in building a deep, integrated knowledge of STEM so that they have the practical knowledge and problem solving skills necessary to live in and improve the world?” We also discuss criteria for evaluating STEM learning environments and the challenges teachers face in implementing STEM. We define STEM as the integration of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics to focus on solving pressing individual and societal problems. Engaging students in STEM also means engaging learners in the design process. Design is integral to student thinking in the STEM world. The design process is very non-linear and iterative in its nature but requires clearly articulating and identifying the design problem, researching what is known about the problem, generating potential solutions, developing prototype designs (artifacts) that demonstrate solutions, and sharing and receiving feedback. With the integration of design, STEM education has the potential to support students in learning big ideas in science and engineering, as well as important scientific and engineering practices, and support students in developing important motivational outcomes such as ownership, agency and efficacy. Moreover, students who engage in STEM learning environments will also develop 21st century capabilities such as problem solving, communication, and collaboration skills.

scholarly journals Supporting STEM Education in the School Library with Digital Tools

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa P. Johnston ◽  
Lucy Santos Green ◽  
Amanda Jones ◽  
Erica Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Stem Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
School Library ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Federally Funded ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Digital Resources ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Teacher Librarians

The prominence of technology in STEM education provides opportunities for teacher librarians to collaborate with teachers across multiple disciplines and embrace leadership roles through integrating digital tools for teaching and learning. This presentation will discuss work from the federally funded REALISD project which is providing professional development for K-12 teacher librarians for designing and facilitating STEM learning in their schools. Participants will learn about locating, accessing, and evaluating digital resources, along with strategies for utilizing resources to provide learning experiences in the STEM areas through both formal and informal instruction.

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