Successful K-12 STEM Education: Identifying Effective Approaches in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Abstract

Examines the landscape of K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education by considering different school models, highlighting research on effective STEM education practices, and identifying some conditions that promote and limit school-and student-level success in STEM. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are fundamental aspects of everyone's lives as members of society, consumers, parents, and workers. Providing all students with access to high-quality education in STEM is important to their future and that of the U.S. This report tackles the question of what schools can do to meet this goal. Focusing on the science and mathematics parts of STEM, it also identifies effective STEM schools and practices.