In an effort to boost student engagement across the sciences, teachers and school leaders began the search for teaching practices which would increasingly pursue authentic curricular and teaching approaches in classrooms across America.
The aim of the innovators was to increase student STEM motivation and achievement in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and math.
The main teaching methods emphasized in the approach to the STEM curriculum included, inquiry-based learning and project- or problem-based instruction. These approaches engage students in rich learning experiences, in that students are engaging with authentic problems that actually exist in their world: Why does our city need a sustainable transportation system? How can we help reduce the incidence of cancer in our community? What are some of the ways I can help my family eat a more healthful diet?
The process of answering these questions is a jumping-off point for learning in mathematics, health, geography, and biology. Rooting curricular content and processes in the real world gives students a “need to know” and keeps then engaged in learning significant content so that they can access higher-level courses as they progress through school.
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