Stem Pedagogy: Teaching STEM Through Project-Based Learning
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Authors
Ngoh, Nelson N.
Issue Date
2015-03-27
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Keywords
Education , Science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) , Pedagogy , Project-based learning
Alternative Title
Abstract
The teaching of science alone without integrating technology, engineering and mathematical concepts does not give graduates the skills they need to excel in the field of research and future careers. This means too that science teaching should not be done in isolation without students seeing and applying in their daily lives the knowledge learned in class. Since the development of this course, STEM for Teacher Educators, we have been shopping around for the best pedagogical techniques of preparing prospective teachers to develop knowledge and useful skills needed to function as professional STEM educators, understanding the relationship of science, technology, engineering, and mathematical concepts. In line with the CSDE framework (2013), we were trying to propose shifts in science teaching and learning to excite and interest more students in STEM connections. We hoped that the results would foster the building of teachers’ understanding, efficacy, and competency in STEM pedagogy. Students formed groups, selected project topics of their personal interest or career aspirations that inspired them. While researching, the students compared the advantages and disadvantages of this PBL in comparison to other traditional teaching methods. The students came out with exciting projects that truly demonstrated a lot of meaningful learning as revealed by the advantages they recorded.