STEM education aims to integrate the four disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics through interdisciplinary and problem-based learning. It emphasizes real-world application and develops both technical and soft skills in students. While STEM can be taught through separate subjects, an integrated approach combines principles of science and mathematics with technology and engineering design processes. This approach, along with 21st century skills like collaboration and communication, prepares students for STEM careers. All academic disciplines involve STEM concepts to some degree, including applications in fields like family and consumer sciences, textiles, and manufacturing.

1. Science Technology Engineering
and Mathematics
Is Fun

2. An acronym for Science, Technology,
Engineering & Math
1. Interdisciplinary – formal, physical, life, social,
& applied science
2. Curriculum driven by problem-solving, discovery,
exploratory learning, active learning to find solutions
3. “a meta-discipline” transforming subject matter by
incorporating technology & engineering
STEM

3. Science seeks to understand
the natural world.
National Science
Education Standards,
National Research Council,
1996.

4. What is Technology?
It is the innovation, change, or modification of the natural
environment in order to satisfy perceived human wants and
needs. (Standards for Technological Literacy, ITEA, 2000)
The goal of technology is to make modifications in the world
to meet human needs. (National Science Education
Standards, NRC, 1996)

5. What is Technology ? (Continued)
In the broadest sense, technology extends our abilities to
change the world: to cut, shape, or put together materials; to
move things from one place to another; to reach farther with our
hands, voices, and senses. (Benchmarks for Science Literacy,
AAAS, 1993)
Technology is the process by which humans modify nature to
meet their needs and wants. (Technically Speaking: Why All
Americans Need to Know More About Technology,
NAE/NRC,2002)

6. Updated Definition of Technology
• Technology is the modification of the natural world to
meet to human wants and needs. It helps us to improve
our health; to grow and processed food and fiber better;
to harness and use energy more efficiently; to
communicate more effectively; to process data faster
and accurately; to move people and things easier; to
make products to enhance our lives; and to build
structures that provide shelter and comfort.

7. What is Engineering?
Design under constraint. Engineers design solutions to
problems. However there are a set of constraints that we have
to satisfy -- size, weight, reliability, safety, economic factors,
environmental impact, manufacturability, and a whole list of “--
abilities” (Wulf)
The profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and
natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practices are
applied with judgments to develop ways to utilize economically
the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind.
(Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET,
2002)


8. What is Mathematics?
The study of any patterns or relationships (AAAS, 1993)
The science of numbers and their operations,
interrelations, combinations, generalizations, and
abstractions and of space configurations and their
structure, measurement, transformations, and
generalizations (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary

9. STEM:
Integrated or Separated?
Integrated STEM: The principles of science and the analysis of
mathematics are combined with the design process of technology and
engineering in the classroom.
Separated S.T.E.M.: Each subject is taught separately with the hope that
the synthesis of disciplinary knowledge will be applied. This may be
referred to as STEM being taught as “Silos”

10. Overall
STEM Education…
• Integrates science,
technology, engineering,
& math into one learning
experience
• Uses project-based learning
• Reinforces real world
application
• Prepares students for
integrated careers
• Develops “soft” &
technical skills

11. STEM Skills
• Analytical skills to research a topic, develop a project and
timeline, and draw conclusions from research results.
• Science skills to break down a complex scientific system into
smaller parts, recognize cause and effect relationships, and
defend opinions using facts.
• Mathematic skills for calculations and measurements.
• Attention to detail by following technical directions, recording
data accurately, formative and summative assessment.

12. STEM Skills
• Technical skills, troubleshooting, repairing, and utilizing
software and modern equipment.
• Communication and cooperation skills to listen to customer
needs or interact with project partners.
• Teamwork skills for successful project completion.
• Creativity to solve problems and develop new ideas.
• Leadership skills to lead projects or help customers.
• Organization skills to keep track of lots of different information.
• Time management skills to function efficiently.

13. 21st Century Skills
• Core subjects and 21st Century themes
• Global awareness
• Financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy
• Civic literacy
• Health literacy
• Environmental literacy
• Learning and innovation skills
• Creativity and innovation
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Communication and collaboration
• Information, media, and technology skills
• Life and career skills

14. Soft Skills
“personal qualities, habits, attitudes & social
behaviors that make an individual a good employee”
• Teamwork skills
• Time management
• Following directions
• Desire to learn
• Creative problem-solving
skills
• Verbal/written
communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Organization skills
• Curiosity & imagination
• Technology experience

15. Report your Results
Analyze your Data and Draw a Conclusion
Test your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment
Construct a Hypothesis
Do Background Research
Ask a Question
(Scientific Method)

16. Share Solution
Build, Redesign, Test, and Evaluate
Design
Brainstorm
Identify Problem
(Engineering Approach)

17. All FCS Careers are
Based in ….
(family studies)
Careers are
based in…
Biology
Economics
(financial literacy)
Chemistry
(cooking/baking)
Anthropology
(family studies)
Psychology
(consumer decision making)
Design
Sociology
Business Nutrition
Architecture
(housing styles)
Communications
& Media
Engineering
(fashion/textiles)
Ecology
Microbiology
Food Safety
Physics

18. EXAMPLE: Identifying STEM in Textiles
& Apparel
• Biology: Animal fibers
• Botany: Plant fibers
• Physics: Functional clothing
• Physiology & Anatomy:
Thermal regulation, garment
motion studies, fitting
• Chemistry: Synthetic fibers,
textile treatment, laundry

19. OTHER EXAMPLES
• Manufacturing technology: knitting, cutting,
sewing, pressing
• Garment engineering: product design, fit,
patterning
• Industrial Engineering:
sequence of operations,
ergonomics
• Geometry: drafting, grading,
scale