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 Science
The Minnesota Academic Standards in Science were revised in 2019 and officially implemented on September 27, 2021, with full implementation expected by the 2024-25 school year. These standards aim to ensure that all K-12 students in Minnesota achieve scientific literacy and are prepared for future career and college opportunities.
The standards are organized into three dimensions: Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas. This structure emphasizes a connected body of knowledge acquired through active participation in science experiences.
- Dimension 1: Science and Engineering Practices includes practices such as asking questions, developing models, and engaging in argument from evidence.
- Dimension 2: Crosscutting Concepts highlights key themes like patterns, cause and effect, and energy and matter.
- Dimension 3: Disciplinary Core Ideas covers essential topics in physical sciences, life sciences, and earth and space sciences.