The STEM Quartet Instructional Framework

Summary

In this video, Associate Professor Tanek Ling and Research Assistant Chingy from NIE discuss the challenges of integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in education. They highlight questions around ownership of STEM in schools, the characteristics of integrated STEM, and how it can be taught within existing school structures. The STEM Quartet Instructional Framework is introduced to guide lesson planning, focusing on lead disciplines, vertical and horizontal learning connections, and authentic real-world problems. An example of combating diabetes in Singapore illustrates how the framework can be applied in interdisciplinary teaching.

Takeaways

• 🧑‍🏫 Integrated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) is challenging due to the individual development of these fields over many years.
• 📚 There are key questions about integrated STEM, including who 'owns' STEM in schools and how to define its characteristics.
• ⏳ Schools may struggle to allocate time and resources for teaching integrated STEM, raising concerns about whether current structures can support it.
• 🔑 The STEM Quartet Instructional Framework is designed to assist teachers in planning integrated STEM lessons by focusing on key components.
• 👩‍🔬 The framework emphasizes having a lead discipline to help guide lessons and address ownership issues.
• 📈 Strong vertical learning in at least two disciplines is crucial, while the strength of learning is represented by different line types (solid for strong, dotted for weak).
• 🔗 Horizontal connections between disciplines are essential, illustrating how concepts, practices, and outcomes from one discipline relate to another.
• 🌍 Authentic, real-world problems are central to the STEM Quartet model, and they must be complex, persistent, and extended to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines.
• 🏥 An example of the framework in action is the problem of managing diabetes, with biology as the lead discipline and engineering involved in improving insulin delivery systems.
• 💻 More examples and resources on implementing the STEM Quartet model are available on the Meristem website.

Q & A

What does the acronym STEM stand for?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Why is it challenging to integrate STEM disciplines?

Integrating STEM disciplines is challenging because each field has developed its own unique epistemic practices, conceptual knowledge, and social norms over many years. Combining them into a cohesive framework requires careful consideration of these distinct characteristics.

What are some issues with implementing integrated STEM in schools?

Some issues include determining which teacher is responsible for teaching STEM, whether it is the science, mathematics, design, or technology teacher, and understanding the characteristics of integrated STEM. Additionally, schools must figure out how to allocate time for integrated STEM lessons and assess whether their structures support it.

What is the STEM Quartet Instructional Framework?

The STEM Quartet Instructional Framework is designed to help teachers plan integrated STEM lessons. It focuses on having a lead discipline, strong vertical learning in at least two disciplines, making explicit horizontal connections between disciplines, and using authentic, real-world problems to drive learning.

How does the framework address the issue of ownership in teaching STEM?

The framework assigns a 'lead discipline,' where the teacher from the lead discipline (e.g., science or mathematics) takes charge of planning the lesson, consulting with colleagues to map out learning outcomes. This structure helps clarify responsibility and ownership.

What is the difference between vertical and horizontal learning in this framework?

Vertical learning refers to deep learning within a discipline, while horizontal learning refers to the connections between disciplines in terms of conceptual understanding and practices. Both types of learning can be strong, moderate, or weak depending on how the lesson is designed.

What types of problems are central to the STEM Quartet Instructional Framework?

Problems used in the STEM Quartet model must be complex, persistent, and extended. Complex problems require knowledge from multiple disciplines, persistent problems are ongoing and enduring, and extended problems require long-term engagement to solve.

Can you provide an example of applying the STEM Quartet framework to a real-world problem?

An example is the problem of managing diabetes in Singapore. Using biology as the lead discipline, learning outcomes include understanding hormones and insulin. Engineering students work on designing improvements for insulin delivery systems, demonstrating the connection between science and engineering.

Why are horizontal connections important in STEM education?

Horizontal connections help students see how different disciplines are related to one another in terms of knowledge and practices. This integration enhances students' appreciation of how multiple fields work together to solve complex real-world problems.

How can schools incorporate integrated STEM lessons into their curriculum?

Schools can incorporate integrated STEM lessons by setting aside dedicated time for interdisciplinary projects, ensuring that teachers from different subjects collaborate, and using real-world problems to guide lesson planning based on frameworks like the STEM Quartet.