STEM education, encompassing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, has evolved significantly due to technological and societal shifts. Integrated STEM and STEAM (adding arts) approaches are becoming more spoken, focusing on developing 21st-century skills like creativity and problem-solving. Although, from a broad perspective, integrated STE(A)M approaches are appealing and theoretically sound, their inconsistent definitions and operationalizations complicate curriculum design, evaluation, and scientific studies. The scarcity of research on STEM education, particularly in the European context, underscores the urgent need for more evidence-based practices. While international large-scale assessments could provide cross-country insights into STEM education, more well-designed studies are needed to understand the effectiveness of STEM and STEAM education, particularly in the European context. Promoting STEM research and securing adequate funding sources for such studies is essential to gaining a deeper understanding of STEM education and guiding its development based on more robust empirical foundations. Ultimately, such efforts will help shape a more effective and inclusive STEM education system responsive to the evolving demands of the modern workforce and society.
Authors
Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Mazzeo Ortolani, Giovanna, Pokropek, Artur, Karpinksi, Zbigniew, Biagi, Federico
Related Organizations
- Catalogue number
- KJ-01-24-060-EN-N
- Citation
- European Commission: Joint Research Centre, Mazzeo Ortolani, G., Pokropek, A., Karpinksi, Z. and Biagi, F., STEM competencies, challenges, and measurements – A literature review , Mazzeo Ortolani, G.(editor), Karpinksi, Z.(editor) and Biagi, F.(editor), Publications Office of the European Union, 2024, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/9390011
- DOI
- https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/9390011
- ISBN
- 978-92-68-20938-7
- Pages
- 61
- Published in
- Belgium
- Themes
- Education policy
Table of Contents
- Table of Contents 3
- Abstract 5
- Acknowledgements 6
- Executive summary 7
- 1 Introduction 9
- 2 Traditional STEM education 10
- 3 Integrated STEM education 13
- 4 Arts and STEAM education 15
- 5 STEM education outcomes: literacy, competencies, knowledge, skills, and attitudes 17
- 6 Navigating today's landscape of STEM education: a summary attempt 20
- 7 What does research tell us about STEM and STEAM education and outcomes? 22
- 8 What does research tell us about STEM education and outcomes in EU27? 24
- 9 Challenges of STEM education 27
- 9.1 Define the specific outcomes that we aim to measure 28
- 9.2 Develop or adapt tools for measuring these defined outcomes 28
- 9.3 Identify which educational practices and programs are effective 28
- 9.4 Evaluate the feasibility of implementing educational practices and programs 29
- 9.5 Improving students' and citizens' engagement, participation, and accomplishments in STEM disciplines 30
- 9.6 Providing students and citizens more opportunities to engage with competent and influential STEM educators and leaders 30
- 9.7 Tackling and narrowing the disparities in STEM talent and skills 31
- 9.8 Raising community consciousness and encouraging backing for STEM projects 31
- 10 Resources that can help analyse STEM outcomes in Europe 32
- 10.1 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 32
- 10.1.1 PISA Student Questionnaire 34
- 10.1.2 PISA School Questionnaires 35
- 10.1.3 PISA Parent Questionnaire 36
- 10.1.4 PISA ICT Familiarity Questionnaire 37
- 10.2 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 38
- 10.2.1 TIMSS Student Questionnaire 40
- 10.2.2 TIMSS Teacher Questionnaire 41
- 10.2.3 TIMSS School Questionnaire 42
- 10.2.4 Other TIMSS Questionnaires 42
- 10.3 Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) 44
- 10.4 International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 45
- Conclusions 48
- References 51
- List of abbreviations and definitions 57
- List of figures 58
- List of tables 59
- Getting in touch with the EU 60
- Finding information about the EU 60
