A Framework for Implementing an Engineering-Focused STEM Curriculum

Abstract

Integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curricula have taken center stage in the recent education reforms. However, the challenge in teaching STEM curricula lies in finding ways to develop students’ content knowledge and plan suitable learning activities and instructional strategies. This paper is focused on the implementation of STEM curricula by secondary technology and engineering teachers and presents a framework for implementing a STEM curriculum centered on engineering design while illuminating its components, such as curriculum theme, content knowledge, learning activities, and teaching strategies. As an effective STEM teaching strategy relies on content integration, the focal point of this framework is the use of learning activities, such as “inquiry and experiment” and “design and making,” to integrate STEM content into lessons and help students develop core competencies through engineering design processes. This paper is meant to serve as a reference for technology and engineering educators to use when designing and implementing engineering-oriented STEM curricula, thereby providing a deeper learning experience of engineering design and STEM integration in secondary-school classrooms. © 2020, Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Engineering design STEM curriculum Cross-disciplinary Technology and engineering education

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations

Department of Industrial Technology Education, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Department of Technology Application and Human Resource Development, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan

Funding & Acknowledgements

Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, MOST

The framework described above provides a basic understanding of how to implement an engineering-focused curriculum in secondary technology and engineering classrooms. The following engineering-focused STEM curriculum demonstrates the process employed when adopting the framework. The curriculum was developed and implemented at a senior high school to conduct a STEM integration project, the High Scope Programs (HSP) Project funded by the Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology, in technology classrooms.

Institute for Information Industry, Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, III

Grant: MOST 104-2511-S-003-038 -MY3

The framework described above provides a basic understanding of how to implement an engineering-focused curriculum in secondary technology and engineering classrooms. The following engineering-focused STEM curriculum demonstrates the process employed when adopting the framework. The curriculum was developed and implemented at a senior high school to conduct a STEM integration project, the High Scope Programs (HSP) Project funded by the Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology, in technology classrooms.

Institute for Information Industry, Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, III

The framework described above provides a basic understanding of how to implement an engineering-focused curriculum in secondary technology and engineering classrooms. The following engineering-focused STEM curriculum demonstrates the process employed when adopting the framework. The curriculum was developed and implemented at a senior high school to conduct a STEM integration project, the High Scope Programs (HSP) Project funded by the Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology, in technology classrooms.

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A Framework for Implementing an Engineering-Focused STEM Curriculum

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