STEM EDUCATION
STEM: Preparing minds for a world not yet built.
“STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning that removes traditional barriers separating the four disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and integrates them into real-world, rigorous, and relevant learning experiences for students.”
- STEM Lesson Essentials by Jo Anne Vasquez and Michael Comer (pg. 4)
According to Jo Anne Vasquez’s article, STEM: Beyond the Acronym, STEM education should involve the application of skills and knowledge to complete authentic tasks and the use of the engineering design process to create products and solutions. The article also included The Inclined Plane of STEM Integration chart that showcases the different levels of STEM integration.
The first level, Multidisciplinary, connects multiple subject areas through a common theme. However the set of skills and knowledge of each subject are taught separately from one another. The Interdisciplinary level involves more collaboration from teachers to develop curriculum where skills and knowledge of multiple subject areas are “interconnected and interdependent.” The ideal level of STEM integration is called Transdisciplinary. This level consists of project-based or problem-based learning that connects multiple subject areas through a driving question (an inspiring, open-ended question that involves the use of targeted skills and knowledge for it to be answered). This driving question leads students to create a solution that incorporates the skills and knowledge of multiple subject areas.
DESIGNING STEM EXPERIENCES
As a STEM specialist, I have designed standards-based STEM projects that integrate project-based learning with design thinking principles and makerspace tools. This approach empowers students to become creative problem-solvers, apply their learning in tangible ways, and develop confidence in navigating complex, real-world challenges.STEM is the acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is an approach to education that strives to remove the traditional lines of subject areas. Students undertake real-world learning activities that incorporates the skills and knowledge of multiple subject areas.
Designing STEM programS
Designing a K-12 STEM Program
I lead the K–12 Technology, Computer Science, and Robotics (TCR) vision at Singapore American School, shaping a cohesive pathway that integrates coding, robotics, makerspaces, engineering practices, and authentic, real-world problem solving. My work includes multi-year curriculum reviews, aligning TCR with NGSS, STEL, CSTA, and our STEM Characteristics, and designing project-based learning experiences that prepare students for an AI-driven future. As part of this process, I’ve visited schools like Taipei American School’s Tech Cube and UWCSEA East to study innovative learning spaces, program structures, and robotics pathways—bringing those insights back to strengthen and reimagine our own TCR program.
The KoLAB Program
As the elementary STEM coordinator at Korea International School, South Korea, I helped develop the KoLAB program. The goal was to drastically disrupted the way education is delivered, enabling students and teachers to become risk-takers and innovators, and bringing a refreshingly different experience in teaching and learning. The knowledge, skills, dispositions, and abilities students gain in the program are essential for preparing our students for not only middle school and high school, but the challenges they will face in their future professions, personal lives, and civic duties. Using the eduPermculture approach, the KoLAB program integrates STEM education, design thinking practices, project-based learning and maker culture into one program. The program was developed, sustained, and improved through the holistic design approach of eduPermaculture.
Mission
"Every student will experience an authentic learning environment where they rigorously apply knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines, and use creative practices to solve meaningful problems and answer real-world questions."
Program Goals
The KoLAB program aligns with the KIS core values of and foster students’ development in ...
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Rigorous, creative practices to develop innovative solutions and high quality work in inquiry-based learning experiences focused on real-world problems and experiences.
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Essential skills that prepare students for successful work and citizenship (creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, adaptability, and initiative).
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Empowering mindsets and dispositions that are beneficial to learning, creativity, socio-emotional wellbeing, community-building and global citizenship.
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Making appropriate improvements to their work through iteration, ongoing feedback, and testing.
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Identifying connections and interdependent relationships between disciplines when applying concepts and skills during authentic contexts.
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Gaining early exposure to and increasing their interest in authentic careers and fields.
