STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education. STEM Learning is an interdisciplinary approach that helps students succeed in future learning and in their career path. The focus of a STEM learning is generally hands-on, problem or project-based learning. The National Science Teaching Association explains, STEM is not a curriculum, but rather a way of organizing and delivering instruction. It is not another “ingredient” in the lesson “soup,” but the recipe for helping learners apply their knowledge and skills, collaborate with their peers, and understand the relevance of what they are learning.
Minnesota Academic Standards in Mathematics
The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Mathematics (2007) are the current standards that guide mathematics education in Minnesota public schools. These standards are organized into four content strands: Number and Operation, Algebra, Geometry and Measurement, and Data Analysis and Probability. They emphasize mathematical proficiency, including conceptual understanding, procedural skill and fluency, and application of mathematical knowledge. The standards are being reviewed and updated, with the 2022 standards slated for full implementation in the 2027-28 school year.