Methods Course for Primary Level STEM Preservice Teachers: Constructing Integrated STEM Teaching

Pattamaporn Pimthong; P John Williams

doi:10.29333/ejmste/11113

Full Text (PDF)

Pattamaporn Pimthong ¹ ^* , P John Williams ²

More Detail

¹ Faculty of Education, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, THAILAND² School of Education, Curtin University, Perth, AUSTRALIA^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

A STEM methods course was developed for undergraduate preservice teachers at the faculty of education. The course model design had three phases: 1) review of the STEM literature and conceptual considerations, 2) planning of the STEM methods course, and 3) evaluation by experts and revision based on their feedback. Research literature and other documentation were reviewed. A framework and guiding principles for primary-level STEM education were developed to identify key elements, including STEM focus/essence, student-centered, curriculum, learning environment, and assessment. A 15-week STEM methods course was planned to model good practices for teaching integrated STEM and to let preservice teachers confront real-world issues and problems that arise in STEM instruction and then design their own STEM lessons or activities for teaching. The result of implementing the STEM methods course was examined through pre-and post-surveys which showed the influence of the methods course in promoting preservice teachers’ STEM understanding.

Keywords

STEM education
STEM methods course
preservice teacher
design model

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 17, Issue 8, August 2021, Article No: em1996

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11113

Publication date: 26 Jul 2021

Article Views: 2943

Article Downloads: 2174

Open Access Disclosures References How to cite this article

Disclosure

Declaration of Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest is declared by author(s).

Data sharing statement: Data supporting the findings and conclusions are available upon request from the corresponding author(s).

References

Ahn, Y. H., Cho, C.-S., & Lee, N. (2013). Building information modeling: Systematic course development for undergraduate construction students. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 139(4), 290-300. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000164
American Association for the Advancement of Science. (1990). The Nature of Science. http://www.project2061.org/publications/sfaa/online/chap1.htm
Bartels, S. L., Rupe, K. M., & Lederman, J. S. (2019). Shaping preservice teachers’ understandings of STEM: A collaborative math and science methods approach. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 30(6), 666-680. https://doi.org/10.1080/1046560X.2019.1602803
Bell, B. (1993). Children’s sciences, constructivism and learning in science. Deakin University.
Bell, D. (2016). The reality of STEM education, design and technology teachers’ perceptions: A phenomenographic study. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 26(1), 61-79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-015-9300-9
Blessinger, P., & Carfora, J. M. (2015). Innovative approaches in teaching and learning: An introduction to inquiry-based learning for STEM programs. In P. Blessinger & J. M. Carfora (Eds.), Inquiry-based learning for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs: A conceptual and practical resource for educators (Vol. 4, pp. 3-19). Emerald. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120150000004001
Bybee, R. (2010). What is STEM education? Source: Science, New Series, 329(5995), 996. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1194998
Bybee, R. (2013). The case for STEM education: Challenges and opportunities. NSTA Press.
Chulavatnatol, M. (2013). STEM education Thailand and STEM ambassadors (In Thai). IPST, 42(185), 14-18.
Clavert, M., & Paloposki, T. (2015). Implementing design-based learning in teaching of combustion and gasification technology. International Journal of Engineering Education, 31(4), 1021-1032.
Crippen, K. J., & Archambault, L. (2012). Scaffolded inquiry-based instruction with technology: A signature pedagogy for STEM education. Computers in the Schools, 29(1-2), 157-173. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380569.2012.658733
Dearborn, L. (2017). What are soft skills? STEMJOBS. http://edu.stemjobs.com/what-are-soft-skills/
Driver, R., Asoko, H., Leach, J., Mortimer, E., & Scott, P. (1994). Constructing scientific knowledge in the classroom. Educational Researcher, 23(7), 5-12. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X023007005
Edutopia. (2008). Why teach with project-based learning? Providing students with a well-rounded classroom experience. http://www.edutopia.org/project-learning-introduction
English, L. (2016). STEM education K-12: perspectives on integration. International Journal of STEM Education, 3(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-016-0036-1
English, L. (2017). Advancing elementary and middle school STEM education. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 15(S1), 5-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-017-9802-x
Fortus, D., Krajcik, J., Dershimer, R. C., Marx, R. W., & Mamlok‐Naaman, R. (2005). Design‐based science and real‐world problem‐solving. International Journal of Science Education, 27(7), 855-879. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690500038165
Ganado, P. L. (2016). School to switch to Singapore maths approach. Times of Malta. https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160802/local/school-to-switch-to-singapore-maths-approach.620737
Grant, M. M. (2002). Getting a grip on project-based learning: Theory, cases and recommendations. Meridian: A Middle School Computer Technologies Journal, 5(1), 1-17.
Hess, K., & Hess, K. (2013). Working knowledge: STEM essentials for the 21st century. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3275-3
Honey, M. (2012). Design-based learning: A new paradigm for STEM education. https://www.ibm.com/blogs/citizen-ibm/2012/03/design-based-learning-a-new-paradigm-for-stem-education/
International Technology Education Association. (2007). Standards for technological literacy standards for technological literacy: Content for the study of technology (3rd ed.). International Technology Education Association.
Joffe, H. (2012). Thematic analysis. In D. Harper, & A. R. Thompson (Eds.), Qualitative research methods in mental health and psychotherapy: A guide for students and practitioners (pp. 209-223). John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119973249.ch15
Johnson, C. C., Peters-Burton, E. E., & Moore, T. J. (Eds.). (2016). STEM road map: a framework for integrated STEM education. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315753157
Kelley, T. R., & Knowles, J. G. (2016). A conceptual framework for integrated STEM education. International Journal of STEM Education, 3(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-016-0046-z
King, D., & English, L. (2016). Engineering design in the primary school: applying stem concepts to build an optical instrument. International Journal of Science Education, 38(18), 2762-2794. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2016.1262567
Kocabas, S., Ozfidan, B., & Burlbaw, L. M. (2019). American STEM education in its global, national, and linguistic contexts. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 16(1), em1810. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/108618
Koul, R., Fraser, B., Maynard, N., Tade, M., & Henderson, D. (2016). Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teaching to primary-school students: Some case studies. In R. Nata (Ed.), Progress in education (pp. 97-118). Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Lópezleiva, C., Roberts-Harris, D., & Von Toll, E. (2016). Meaning making with motion is messy: developing a STEM learning community. Canadian Journal of Science Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, 16(10), 169-182. https://doi.org/10.1080/14926156.2016.1166293
Lovell-Troy, L. A., & Eickmann, P. (1992). Course design for college teachers. Educational Technology Publications.
Murphy, T. (2011). STEM Education--It’s elementary. https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2011/08/29/stem-education--its-elementary
Nadelson, L. S., & Seifert, A. L. (2017). Integrated STEM defined: Contexts, challenges, and the future. Journal of Educational Research, 110(3), 221-223. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2017.1289775
Nadelson, L. S., Callahan, J., Pyke, P., Hay, A., Dance, M., & Pfiester, J. (2013). Teacher STEM perception and preparation: Inquiry-based STEM professional development for elementary teachers. The Journal of Educational Research, 106(2), 157-168. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2012.667014
National Academy of Engineering and National Research Council. (2009). Engineering in K-12 education. National Academies Press. http://doi.org/10.17226/12635
National Research Council. (1996). National science education standards. National Academies Press.
National Research Council. (2000). Inquiry and the national science education standards. National Academies Press.
National Research Council. (2011). Successful K-12 STEM education: Identifying effective approaches in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Committee on highly successful science programs for K-12 science education. Board on Science Education and Board on Testing and Assessment, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. The National Academies Press.
National Science Foundation. (2007). National action plan for addressing the critical needs of the U.S. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education system. NSB 07-114. National Science Foundation.
National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office. (2015). Initiatives. http://www.sti.or.th/encontent.php?content_type=5
Office of the Prime Minister. (2017). The twelfth national economic and social development plan (2017-2021). Bangkok, Thailand.
Oliva, P. F. (1982). Developing the curriculum. Little, Brown.
Oliva, P. F. (2009). Developing the curriculum (7th ed.). Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
Park, D.-Y., Park, M.-H., & Bates, A. B. (2016). Exploring young children’s understanding about the concept of volume through engineering design in a STEM activity: A case study. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 16, 275-294. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-016-9776-0
Pimthong, P., & Williams, P. J. (2020). Preservice teachers’ understanding of STEM education. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 41, 289-295.
Posner, G. J., & Rudnitsky, A. N. (1994). Course design: A guide to curriculum development for teachers (4th ed.). Longman.
Prinsley, R., & Johnston, E. (2015). Transforming STEM teaching in Australian primary schools: Everybody’s business. Canberra, ACT Australia.
Radloff, J., & Guzey, S. (2016). Investigating preservice STEM teacher conceptions of STEM education. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 25(5), 759-774. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-016-9633-5
Radloff, J., & Guzey, S. (2017). Investigating changes in preservice teachers’ conceptions of stem education following video analysis and reflection. School Science and Mathematics, 117(3-4), 158-167. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.12218
Royal Thai Embassy, W. D. C. (2017). Thailand 4.0. http://thaiembdc.org/thailand-4-0-2/
Sanders, M. (2009). STEM, STEM education, STEMmania. The Technology Teacher, 69(4), 20-27.
Sanders, M. (2012). Integrative STEM education as “best practice”. In The Technology Education Research Conference (pp. 4). Queensland.
Sanders, M. (2015). The original ‘integrative STEM Education’; definition: explained. Virginia.
Schmidt, K. M., & Kelter, P. (2017). Science fairs: A qualitative study of their impact on student science inquiry learning and attitudes toward STEM. Science Educator, 25(2), 126-132.
Schmidt, M., & Fulton, L. (2016). Transforming a traditional inquiry-based science unit into a STEM unit for elementary pre-service teachers: A view from the trenches. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 25(2), 302-315. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-015-9594-0
Sherman, S. J., & Sherman, R. S. (2004). Science and science teaching: Methods for integrating technology in elementary and middle schools (2nd ed.). Houghton Mifflin Company.
Shernoff, D. J., Sinha, S., Bressler, D. M., & Ginsburg, L. (2017). Assessing teacher education and professional development needs for the implementation of integrated approaches to STEM education. International Journal of STEM Education, 4(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-017-0068-1
Sias, C. M., Nadelson, L. S., Juth, S. M., & Seifert, A. L. (2017). The best laid plans: Educational innovation in elementary teacher generated integrated STEM lesson plans. The Journal of Educational Research, 110(3), 227-238. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2016.1253539
Stohlmann, M., Moore, T. J., McClelland, J., & Roehrig, G. H. (2011). Impressions of a middle grades STEM integration program. Middle School Journal, 43(1), 32-40. https://doi.org/10.1080/00940771.2011.11461791
Talley, T. (2017). The STEM coaching handbook: Working with teachers to improve instruction. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315625003
The Buck institute for Education (BIE). (2014). Why PBL? http://bie.org/about/why_pbl
The Cambridge english dictionary. (2018). Mathematics meaning. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/mathematics?q=Mathematics
The Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST). (2017). A path to success for STEM education in Thailand. IPST.
The National News Bureau of Thailand. (2017). Develop Thai citizen for Thailand 4.0. http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_th/news/news_detail/TNRPT6005060010008
Thomas, J. W. (2000). A review of research on project-based learning. http://www.bobpearlman.org/BestPractices/PBL_Research.pdf
Tyler, R. W. (1971). Basic principles of curriculum and instruction. University of Chicago Press.
Urban, M. J., & Falvo, D. A. (2016). Preface. In M. J. Urban & D. A. Falvo (Eds.), Improving K-12 STEM Education Outcomes through Technological Integration (pp. 498). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-9616-7
Vartiainen, H., Liljeström, A., & Enkenberg, J. (2012). Design-oriented pedagogy for technology-enhanced learning to cross over the borders between formal and informal environments. Journal of Universal Computer Science, 18(15), 2097-2119. https://doi.org/10.3217/jucs-018-15-2097
Vasquez, J. A., Sneider, C., & Comer, M. (2013). STEM lesson essentials, grades 3-8: Integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Heinemann.
Virginia Tech. (2018). Integrative STEM education. https://liberalarts.vt.edu/departments-and-schools/school-of-education/academic-programs/integrative-stem-education.html
Williams, P. J. (2011). Focus on design in technology - Book A. User Friendly Resources.
Won, S. G. L., Evans, M. A., Carey, C., & Schnittka, C. G. (2015). Youth appropriation of social media for collaborative and facilitated design-based learning. Computers in Human Behavior, 50, 385-391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.04.017

How to cite this article

APA

Pimthong, P., & Williams, P. J. (2021). Methods Course for Primary Level STEM Preservice Teachers: Constructing Integrated STEM Teaching. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 17(8), em1996. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11113

Vancouver

Pimthong P, Williams PJ. Methods Course for Primary Level STEM Preservice Teachers: Constructing Integrated STEM Teaching. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2021;17(8):em1996. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11113

AMA

Pimthong P, Williams PJ. Methods Course for Primary Level STEM Preservice Teachers: Constructing Integrated STEM Teaching. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2021;17(8), em1996. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11113

Chicago

Pimthong, Pattamaporn, and P John Williams. "Methods Course for Primary Level STEM Preservice Teachers: Constructing Integrated STEM Teaching". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 2021 17 no. 8 (2021): em1996. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11113

Harvard

Pimthong, P., and Williams, P. J. (2021). Methods Course for Primary Level STEM Preservice Teachers: Constructing Integrated STEM Teaching. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 17(8), em1996. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11113

MLA

Pimthong, Pattamaporn et al. "Methods Course for Primary Level STEM Preservice Teachers: Constructing Integrated STEM Teaching". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, vol. 17, no. 8, 2021, em1996. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11113