STEM integration in K-12 education : status, prospects, and an agenda for research

TLDR

The report surveys current efforts to integrate STEM disciplines in K‑12 education. It reviews evidence of integrated STEM’s impact on student outcomes, proposes priority research questions, offers a common framework and vocabulary, and recommends design and assessment practices to advance integrated STEM education. The report identifies and characterizes existing integrated STEM approaches in formal and informal settings, proposes a common framework, and offers design and assessment recommendations. It concludes that integrated STEM initiatives can positively affect student learning, interest, and other valued outcomes.

Abstract

STEM Integration in K-12 Education examines current efforts to connect the STEM disciplines in K-12 education. This report identifies and characterizes existing approaches to integrated STEM education, both in formal and after- and out-of-school settings. The report reviews the evidence for the impact of integrated approaches on various student outcomes, and it proposes a set of priority research questions to advance the understanding of integrated STEM education. STEM Integration in K-12 Education proposes a framework to provide a common perspective and vocabulary for researchers, practitioners, and others to identify, discuss, and investigate specific integrated STEM initiatives within the K-12 education system of the United States. STEM Integration in K-12 Education makes recommendations for designers of integrated STEM experiences, assessment developers, and researchers to design and document effective integrated STEM education. This report will help to further their work and improve the chances that some forms of integrated STEM education will make a positive difference in student learning and interest and other valued outcomes.