Influence of STEM Lessons on Critical Thinking

The study of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is leading educators into a new world of teaching. The classroom roles have been reversed and students are now in charge of their own learning. Students are learning how to engineer and solve real-world problems through critical thinking. Integrated STEM lessons are teaching students to use their prior knowledge across subject areas to prepare themselves for the workforce needed in the 21st century. This study was conducted in a rural second grade classroom with the number of students ranging from 16 to 21. Throughout this study qualitative data was collected. The students participated in integrated STEM lessons where qualitative data was collected through student work samples, student surveys, student interviews, and a teacher journal. In addition, students were asked to answer a student survey on their feelings toward science after each experiment. Advisor: Amanda Thoma