Method for the Development of STEM-integrating Learning Materials

To address the increasing need for competent STEM workers, a new approach in secondary education is required, that reveals the links and dependencies between the STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Such a new approach requires a new curriculum and learning materials that connect concepts from the STEM-discipline-specific curricula throughout pupils’ secondary school years. Based on key ideas and supported by research on instructional design and curricular reform, this work proposes a method for the development of STEM-integrating learning materials. Four case studies corroborate the construction of this method. In each case a collaboration between teams of STEM teachers and an academic researcher was established to cocreate STEM-integrating learning materials. Their development process was observed in order to identify and verify patterns of essential steps, conditions and obstacles. In the future the proposed method will empower teachers who are new to the integrated approach to develop STEM-integrating learning materials.status: publishe