Article Gold Open Access 2024

Developing a framework for integrating STEM approach at primary education of Bangladesh

Discover Education
Journal · Vol. 3 · Issue 1 · Art. 112
Abstract

STEM (Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology) education has widely been considered to have the potential to prepare students with 21st-century skills. Though the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) is concerned with developing human resources for the 21st-century, STEM education has not yet achieved a strong position in the national curriculum system. This study aims to provide a guideline to the GoB to take necessary steps to integrate STEM initiatives aligned with the current science and mathematics curriculum. Adopting a literature survey on the integrated STEM approach, document analysis (primary math and science curriculum, textbook, and teachers’ guide of grade 3, 4, and 5) and semi-structured interviews of the primary mathematics teachers, head teachers, STEM experts and curriculum developers of Bangladesh, a framework of integrated STEM approach for primary level has been developed. Besides, the study identified some chapters from science and mathematics textbooks where there are some scopes to integrate the STEM approach and also developed some STEM activities for grade 3, 4, and 5 as future guidelines to the practitioners. This study contributes to the field of STEM-focused primary education in the context of Bangladesh by offering practical guidelines for academic institutions, curriculum developers, teachers’ trainers, and policy makers of the country. © The Author(s) 2024.

Keywords

Author Keywords

framework Primary Education Integrated STEM education STEM activity

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Funding & Acknowledgements
University of Dhaka
Centennial Research Grant (CRG), University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, provided funding for this project.
References 10 References
1 International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, (2017)
2 Tseng, Kuo Hung, Attitudes towards science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in a project-based learning (PjBL) environment, International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 23, 1, pp. 87-102, (2013)
3 Nadelson, Louis S., Teacher STEM perception and preparation: Inquiry-based stem professional development for elementary teachers, Journal of Educational Research, 106, 2, pp. 157-168, (2013)
4 Journal of Education and Learning, (2013)
5 undefined
6 Margot, Kelly C., Teachers’ perception of STEM integration and education: a systematic literature review, International Journal of STEM Education, 6, 1, (2019)
7 Chowdhury, Sabbir Ahmed, Factors behind the implementation of STEM education in Bangladesh, Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1563, 1, (2020)
8 Global J Human Social Sci, (2023)
9 Social Studies, (2004)
10 J Inst Bangladesh Stud, (2020)
Quick Actions
Full Text via DOI
Citation Metrics
2
Times Cited (Scopus)

References 10
Document Identifiers