What is STEM education and what are its origins?
STEM education promotes the integration and development of science and technology subjects in a single interdisciplinary framework, with a didactic approach that ensures the transversality of teaching and learning processes through science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is understood as an education to
The main purpose of this methodology is to provide people with the capacity for experiential learning by developing critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration between different disciplines.
It is based on a practical approach that is different from theoretical, memorization, and repetitive learning. Learning the list of Visigoth kings is not part of this his STEM methodology. It is based on the aforementioned innovation, logical and analytical thinking, based on a practical approach.
Origin of the terms STEM and STEAM
The term STEM was used in the 1990s to encourage students' interest in scientific and technological careers. National Science Foundationan American government agency that promotes research and basic education in the non-medical fields of science and engineering.
The theoretical foundations underlying STEM were introduced by mathematicians Seymour Papert Logo Design is an educational programming language (known as Turtle Language) that allows children to develop logical-mathematical thinking from an early age.
A few years later, in 2006, Georgette Yackman coined the term STEAM Adding the letter A and including art provides a creative approach to complement learning in science programs.
The importance and benefits of STEM education
Experts explain that resourceful STEM learning helps children explore, build, and share their understanding of the world around them from an early age.
In addition, playful elements encourage learning both inside and outside of the classroom.
Some also say that its practical approach has the advantage of not presenting these topics as “scary'', which can also help young people's self-esteem when faced with science and technology topics.
The benefits of STEM methodology lie in both educational and work-related fields, its proponents say.
educational
As we have discussed throughout this article, projects and activities that are hands-on in nature encourage students to become more involved.
This improves knowledge retention and understanding of theoretical concepts.
Teamwork is often required and other types of skills are also developed, such as collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution.
workplace
In the workplace, STEM methods improve problem-solving skills and prepare students for innovative work environments.
Therefore, experts conclude that STEM education can make individuals more employable and equip them with a set of skills that are sufficient to meet the demands of today's jobs.
What is STEM methodology based on?
The STEM methodology is based on a series of lessons across four focused subjects:
- Solve problems and optimize resources with teamwork.
- It applies real-world situations to everyday situations that also appeal to problem-solving innovation.
- Learning through research and experimentation increases motivation and retention of theoretical concepts related to the corresponding practical part.
- Without contextualized instruction due to its interdisciplinary nature, students will be faced with learning different subjects as if they were watertight compartments.
- Promoting creativity in solving problems from a critical perspective.
conclusion
STEM methodology arose from interdisciplinarity as a point of integration and enhancement of four distinct subjects: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
It is also a method that advocates a very practical approach, as opposed to mere memorization teaching, allowing theoretical concepts to be reinforced through the implementation of various learning projects.
