STEM and technology education: international state-of-the-art

This paper reports the perceptions of 20 international technology education scholars on their country's involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Survey research was used to obtain data. It was found that the concept of STEM education is being discussed differently by nations. Some consider STEM education to be the improved teaching of the separate subjects of STEM. Others believe STEM should be taught using an integrative subjects approach. Many believe it is a combination of both of these approaches. Different countries are exploring STEM because of political and economic pressures and because some believe it is a means to improve the delivery of this knowledge. The development of a STEM agenda is mixed. In many countries there have been discussions about STEM education, but little action has been undertaken to modify educational systems to deliver this form of education/instruction. Countries are providing professional development experiences to show teachers how to incorporate STEM into their teaching practices.