Skip to main content

The Nature of Interdisciplinary STEM Education

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Handbook of Technology Education

Part of the book series: Springer International Handbooks of Education ((SIHE))

Abstract

Interdisciplinary STEM education is the pedagogical approach by which students learn the interconnectedness of the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Interdisciplinary STEM education also provides a platform to introduce problem-based learning, cooperative learning, expand problem-solving capabilities, and introduce students to the use of engineering design. Several research studies suggest that when students are introduced (early) to the STEM disciplines through integrated and problem-centered learning activities, they are more likely to remain engaged throughout formal education and are more likely to enter one or more of these fields as a career.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 359.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Archer, L., DeWitt, J., Osborne, J., Dillon, J., Willis, B., & Wong, B., (2012). Science aspirations and family habitus: How families shape children’s engagement and identification with science. American Educational Research Journal, 49(5), 881–908.

    Google Scholar 

  • Archer, L., Osborne, J., Dewitt, J., Dillon, J., Wong, B., & Willis, B. (2013). ASPIRES: Young people’s science and career aspirations, age 10–14. London: King’s College London. Retrieved from: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/education/research/aspires/ASPIRES-final-report-December-2013.pdf.

  • Atkinson, R., & Mayo, M. (2010). Refueling the U.S. innovation economy: Fresh approaches to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education (December 9, 2010). The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Basham, J. D., & Marino, M. T. (2013). Understanding STEM education and supporting students through universal design for learning. Teaching Exceptional Children, 45(4), 8–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berland, L. K. (2013). Designing for STEM education. Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research, 3(1), 22–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, R., Reed, P., Ritz, J., Lin, C., Hsiung, S., & Frazier, W. (2004). STEM initiatives: Stimulating students to improve science and mathematics achievement. The Technology Teacher, 64(4), 23–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brophy, S., Klein, S., Portsmore, M., & Rogers, C. (2008). Advancing engineering education in P-12 classrooms. Journal of Engineering Education, 97, 369–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bybee, R. W. (2010). Advancing STEM education: A 2020 vision. Technology and Engineering Teacher, 70, 30–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bybee, R. W., Powell, J. C., Ellis, J. D., Giese, J. R., Parisi, L., & Singleton, L. (1991). Integrating the history and nature of science and technology in science and social studies curriculum. Science Education, 75, 143–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Common core state standards for English Language Arts. [Internet]. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & the Council of Chief State School. 2016 [cited 28 June 2016]. Available from: http://www.corestandards.org/assets/CCSSI_ELA%20Standards.pdf

  • Common core state standards for mathematics. [Internet]. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & the Council of Chief State School. 2016 [cited 28 June 2016]. Available from: http://www.corestandards.org/wp-content/uploads/Math_Standards1.pdf

  • Corcoran, T., & Silander, M. (2009). Instruction in high schools: The evidence and the challenge. The Future of Children, 19(1), 157–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daugherty, M. K. (2005). A changing role for technology teacher education. Journal of Industrial Teacher Education, 42(1), 41–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daugherty, M. K. (2013). The prospect of an “A” in STEM education. Journal of STEM Education, 14(2), 10–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daugherty, M. K., Carter, V., & Swagerty, L. (2014). Elementary STEM education: The future for technology and engineering education? The Journal of STEM Teacher Education, 49(1), 45–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeJarnette, N. (2012). America’s children: Providing early exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) initiatives. Education, 133(1), 77–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drake, S. M., & Burns, R. C. (2004). Meeting standards through integrated curriculum. Alexandria: ASCD/Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furner, J. M., & Kumar, D. D. (2007). The mathematics and science integration argument: A stand for teacher education. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology, 3(3), 185–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • George Washington: First annual message to Congress on the State of the Union [Internet]. Presidency.ucsb.edu. 2016 [cited 28 June 2016]. Available from: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29431

  • Gibbons, P. (2003). Mediating language learning; Teacher interactions with ESL students in a content-based classroom. TESOL Quarterly, 37(2), 247–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havice, W. (2009). The power and promise of a STEM education: Thriving in a complex technological world. In ITEEA (Ed.), The overlooked STEM imperatives: Technology and engineering (pp. 10–17). ITEEA: Reston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Honey, M., Pearson, G., & Schweingruber, H. (Eds.). (2014). STEM integration in K-12 education: Status, prospects, and an agenda for research. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEA/ITEEA). (2007). Standards for technological literacy: Content for the study of technology (3rd ed.). Reston: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kang, H., & Lundeberg, M. A. (2010). Participation in science practices while working in a multimedia case-based environment. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 47(9), 1116–1136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koen, B. V. (2003). Discussion of the method: Conducting the engineer’s approach to problem solving. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaPorte, J., & Sanders, M. (1993). Integrating technology, science, and mathematics in the middle school. The Technology Teacher, 52(6), 17–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Learning for the 21st century: A report and mile [Internet]. Partnership for 21st Century Skills. 2016 [cited 28 June 2016]. 2003. Available from: http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/P21_Report.pdf

  • Loepp, F. L. (1999). Models of curriculum integration. Journal of Technology Studies, 25(2), 21–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahoney, M. (2010). Students’ attitudes toward STEM: Development of an instrument for high school STEM-based programs. Journal of Technology Studies, 36(1), 24–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Means, B., Confrey, J., House, A., & Bhanot, R. (2008). STEM high schools: Specialized science, technology, engineering, and mathematics secondary schools in the United States. Menlo Park: SRI International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, T. (2011). STEM education – It’s elementary. St. Catherine University, National Center for STEM elementary education. St. Paul: St. Catherine University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council (US). Committee on Highly Successful Schools or Programs for K-12 STEM Education. (2011). Successful K-12 STEM education: Identifying effective approaches in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • NGSS Lead States. (2013). Next generation science standards: For states by states. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nurturing STEM skills in young learners, preK-3. [Internet]. Successful STEM Education. 2016 [cited 28 June 2016]. 2013. Available from: http://successfulstemeducation.org/sites/successfulstemeducation.org/files/STEM%20Smart%20Brief-Early%20Childhood%20Learning.pdf

  • Pahl, G., & Beitz, W. (2015). Engineering design: A systematic approach (2nd ed.). Darmstadt: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantoya, M., Aguirre-Munoz, Z., & Hunt, E. Developing an engineering identity in early childhood [Internet]. American Journal of Engineering Education. 2016 [cited 28 June 2016]. 2015. Available from: http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1083229.pdf

  • Petroski, H. (1992). To engineer is human: The role of failure in successful design. New York: Vintage Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, A. A justification for STEM education. [Internet]. Iteea.org. 2016 [cited 28 June 2016]. 2012. Available from: https://www.iteea.org/File.aspx?id=86478&v=5409fe8e

  • Sanders, M. (2009a). Integrative STEM education: Primer. The Technology Teacher, 68(4), 20–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. (2009b). Technology teacher education in the United States. In Essential topics for technology educators: 58th yearbook of the Council of Technology Teacher Education. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Satchwell, R., & Loepp, F. L. (2002). Designing and implementing an integrated mathematics, science, and technology curriculum for the middle school. Journal of Industrial Teacher Education, 39(3). Retrieved from http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JITE/v39n3/satchwell.html

  • Savery, J. Overview of problem-based learning: Definitions and distinctions. [Internet]. Docs.lib.purdue.edu. 2016 [cited 28 June 2016]. 2006. Available from: http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=ijpbl

  • Stohlmann, M., Moore, T. J., & Roehrig, G. H. (2012). Considerations for teaching integrated STEM education. Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research, 2(1), 28–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strimel, G., & Grubbs, M. (2016). Positioning technology and engineering education as a key force in STEM education. Journal of Technology Education, 27(2), 21–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tracy, D. Here’s how to diagnose an engine that won’t start. [Internet]. Jalopnik.com. 2016 [cited 28 June 2016]. 2015. Available from: http://jalopnik.com/heres-how-you-diagnose-an-engine-that-wont-start-1717491831

  • Vars, G. Integrated curriculum in historical perspective. [Internet]. Middle Grades Curriculum. 2016 [cited 28 June 2016]. 1991. Available from: http://middlegradescurriculum.yolasite.com/resources/Int.%20Curr.%20VARS.pdf

  • Wells, J. G. (2016). Pirposal model of integrative STEM education: Conceptual and pedagogical framework for classroom implementation. Technology and Engineering Teacher, 75(6), 12–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design. Alexandria: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson-Lopez, A., & Gregory, S. (2015). Integrating literacy and engineering instruction for young learners. The Reading Teacher, 69(1), 25–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael K. Daugherty .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Section Editor information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this entry

Cite this entry

Daugherty, M.K., Carter, V. (2018). The Nature of Interdisciplinary STEM Education. In: de Vries, M. (eds) Handbook of Technology Education. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44687-5_12

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics