STEM and STEAM education, and disciplinary integration: a guide to informed policy action

What is STEM? This question occupies the minds of educators, researchers and experts from the field. There are many controversies, ambiguities and also misunderstandings surrounding STEM definitions and concepts. The newly published JRC policy brief tries to clarify this subject, building on research and stakeholders exchanges.

Different approaches to STEM education focus on different sets of disciplines and teaching methods. Integrated STEM, STEAM and STE(A)M approaches focus on disciplinary integration to equip individuals with adaptability, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Adopting integrated approaches to STEM for an educational system is crucial for designing an effective curriculum, training teachers, and defining learning outcomes to track students progress.

The purpose of disciplinary integration is to equip learners with key competences and transversal skills, e.g. critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, to thrive in a complex, uncertain, fast changing world. 

Publication: STEM and STEAM education, and disciplinary integration: a guide to informed policy action