Learn and use science, technology, engineering and maths in an integrated way, applied on real-world applications
STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive way based on real-world applications.
The term STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The term was coined by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the 1990s. The concept of “STEM Education” has been developed as a new way to jointly teach all areas. A STEM-based education is important for all children and young people because it forms the basis for the development of the skills needed to achieve a successful professional career no matter what profession they choose.
This acronym does not only represent four subjects but a teaching method for the construction of knowledge and the development of necessary skills to apply in different scenarios and life situations.
A STEM learning has two distinct characteristics:
- Teaching-learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in an integrated way instead of as compartmentalized knowledge areas. Integrated instruction is any program in which there is an explicit assimilation of concepts from two or more disciplines.
- An Engineering focus in the development of theoretical knowledge for its subsequent practical application always focused on problem-solving.
Among the benefits of a STEM-based program we shalle mention:
- Acquiring and applying the knowledge and skills of science and mathematics for daily life.
- Learning the skills of solving real problems.
- Learning to be resolute, to make decisions and think on how to approach problems.
- Increasing the ability to applying creativity in order to solve challenges
- Develop individual critical thinking.
- Increase self-esteem and promote communication skills.
- The experimentation in the first person allows improving the retention of the concepts learned in the long term.
- The use of emerging technologies minimizes the “intimidating” feeling they produce.
- Through the explanation of hypotheses and ideas, they make connections between the objectives of solving problems and the processes carried out, also improving the communication, explanation and presentation of their work.
- Learn to work collaboratively in groups