scholarly journals Implementing STEM-related Activities for School Aged Users

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virgilio Medina Jr. ◽  
Ross J. Todd
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
The Future ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Informal Learning Environment

Published literature acknowledges the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in various educational institutions and its contributions to the future of a nation’s economy. This paper focuses on successful library STEM-based programs that were undertaken from August to September 2019 for school-aged users in a public library. This paper also explores users’ perceptions in attending STEM-based activities in the library as well as their feedback on how future library programs on STEM could further be improved. These findings seek to provide new perspectives for librarians, educators, teachers, and staff in creating opportunities for STEM-based initiatives in an informal learning environment.

The effect of informal learning environment upon students’ understanding of science-technology-society-environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 22-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merve Cansu Ince ◽  
Bayram Costu
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Informal Learning Environments ◽  
Science Technology Society ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Informal Learning Environment ◽  
Out Of School

It is known that an informal learning environment (i.e., out-of-school) increases the quality of teaching and learning activities. Informal environments also provide many advantages such as enriching the content of learning. Moreover, it is emphasised that the science-technology-society-environment (STSE) learning does not effectively involve in the Turkish education system. From this point of view, informal learning environments should be considered in order to enable students’ understanding of the STSE relation. Within the scope of this study, it was aimed to determine the effectiveness of study visit on students’ understanding of STSE. The research was conducted with 14 male students in the 5th-grade level in the 2016– 2017 academic year. This research, which used a recycling-solid waste collection centre, a botanic garden, a planetarium, a science centre and a zoo, a few informal learning environments, was conducted according to the case study design method. In the study, views on science-technology-society questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, observation forms and diaries were used as data collection tools. The data indicated that the informal learning environments were inadequate to promote conceptual change; however, it was effective to comprehend newly learnt concepts. In addition, it was also concluded that informal learning environment provided students to capture the understanding of STSE relations. Keywords: Science-technology-society-environment (STSE), informal education, out-of-school environment.

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.

Nurturing Curiosity Learning Through STEM in Physical Education in Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-30
Author(s):  
Thembelihle Gondo ◽  
Jenet Jean Mudekunye
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Staff Development ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Economic Competitiveness ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
The Future ◽  
And Mathematics

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) develop deep mathematical and scientific underpinnings students need in the 21st-century workforce. The future of many countries lies in lifetime engagement with STEM education. STEM is an expressive curriculum pertinent to learners and develops reasoning, investigative, and creative skills. Modern lives that affect the economy are transformed through innovations. Economic ambitions can be driven through supporting technological creativity solutions for economic competitiveness. Children see STEM as a tool that helps them understand their world and critically think about intentionally incorporating different subjects across existing curriculum. This paper looks at the possibility of nurturing curiosity in physical education through STEM in Zimbabwe. The paper uses library methodology approach. The article proposes appropriate instruction for underprepared workforce through workshops and staff development. Proficiency thinking, problem-solving, and engineering skills exposure are also advocated for.

scholarly journals Optimistic Fiction as a Tool for Ethical Reflection in STEM

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Strong Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethical Reflection ◽  
Field Of Study ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Ethics Guidelines

AbstractGreater emphasis on ethical issues is needed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The fiction for specific purposes (FSP) approach, using optimistic science fiction texts, offers a way to focus on ethical reflection that capitalizes on role models rather than negative examples. This article discusses the benefits of using FSP in STEM education more broadly, and then explains how using optimistic fictions in particular encourages students to think in ethically constructive ways. Using examples of science fiction texts with hopeful perspectives, example discussion questions are given to model how to help keep students focused on the ethical issues in a text. Sample writing prompts to elicit ethical reflection are also provided as models of how to guide students to contemplate and analyze ethical issues that are important in their field of study. The article concludes that the use of optimistic fictions, framed through the lens of professional ethics guidelines and reinforced through ethical reflection, can help students to have beneficial ethical models.

scholarly journals Problematizing teaching and learning mathematics as “given” in STEM education

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeping Li ◽  
Alan H. Schoenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Mathematics Education ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Teaching And Learning Mathematics ◽  
Learning Mathematics ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Scientific Engineering

AbstractMathematics is fundamental for many professions, especially science, technology, and engineering. Yet, mathematics is often perceived as difficult and many students leave disciplines in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as a result, closing doors to scientific, engineering, and technological careers. In this editorial, we argue that how mathematics is traditionally viewed as “given” or “fixed” for students’ expected acquisition alienates many students and needs to be problematized. We propose an alternative approach to changes in mathematics education and show how the alternative also applies to STEM education.

4IR and Right to Education in Nigeria: Synergybetween Legal Instruments and Stem Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 2286-2295
Author(s):  
Mariam Adepeju Abdulraheem-Mustapha
Keyword(s):  
Stem Education ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Research Collaboration ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Right To Education ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Laws And Policies ◽  
The Relationship

Laws and policies have important roles to play in advancing the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) research in Nigeria. STEM education and knowledge brings about development by converging scholars across the world with recent research discoveries. In order for Nigeria to reap the maximum benefits from the 4IR, its legal system must come in line with the principles advanced by the 4IR. It is important to state that the laws which have been enacted before the contemporary era are inadequate and obsolete. Education (STEM education inclusive) which will benefit the most from thenewrevolution would demand new legal instrumentsthat are adequate and effective to cater for the legal and policy demands of the 4IR by bringing forth a more current and inclusive legal protection for all the relevant beneficiaries. Using doctrinal methodology, thispaperexamines4IR and right to education in Nigeria with a view to establishing the relationship between the legal instruments and STEM education with the objective of advancing the agenda of the relevance of all fields of education for the next generation.The paper is divided into six sections and the findings show that, education (STEM education inclusive) is bedeviled with many challenges andthe extant laws are inadequate to solve them.Thus, making the goal of 4IR unachievable in Nigeria. To reach the greatest dexterities in all works of life, the paper concludes by bringing the significance of laws and policies that wouldaccommodate free STEM education in secondary and tertiary school levels in order to answer the call for 4IR. It recommends research collaboration across STEM fields for integrated curriculum and an amendment of the Constitution. It also advocates for gender equality and investing more in STEM education for having a transformative shift in Nigeria for the purpose of achieving 4IR.

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 EMERGENCE OF INFORMAL LEARNING SPACE IN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS: A COMPARATIVE SCENARIO IN THE CONTEXT OF KHULNA CITY

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Sourav ◽  
◽  
D. Afroz ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Formal Learning ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
Informal Learning Environment

Ancient education system was developed from a semi-outdoor environment. While developing the learning spaces it developed into indoor environment to ensure controlled environment, focus, discipline and compactness. These properties lead to formal education and formal learning space which replaced the informal learning environment. Formal learning space usually drive students towards a single expertise or knowledge. The limitations and boredom of formal education often causes depression and annoy towards education that result in limited learning and one-sided education. This research indicates the role of “informal learning environment” which helps university students to achieve multi-disciplinary knowledge through a simple, contextual and informal way. To establish the emergence, we tried to do a quantitative analysis among the students studying different universities in Khulna city. We have tried to understand the perspective of the students whether they feel the importance of informal learning or not in their daily life. While working on this paper, we have experienced unique scenario for each university but by any means Khulna University and Khulna University of Engineering & Technology serves their student the environment where students can meet and share knowledge with their natural flow of gossiping with food or drinks while Northern University of Business & technology and North-Western University have shown different scenario.

scholarly journals Sketching as a Tool to Measure Concept Application in an Informal Learning Environment

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Morris ◽  
Charlotte Coffman ◽  
Fran Kozen ◽  
Katherine Dao ◽  
Denise Green ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Concept Application ◽  
Informal Learning Environment
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