STEM Education Through Global Perspectives: An Overview

Improving a country’s high-quality talent requires a strong educational foundation for children and youth. Globally, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is viewed as essential for preparing students to compete in the economy of the twenty-first century and has become the driving-force behind many educational movements (Akcan et al., 2023; Blackley & Howell, 2015; Freeman et al., 2019). Be aware, STEM is not a separate education reform movement from other science education reform efforts; rather, it is an emphasis that stresses a multidisciplinary approach for better preparing all students in STEM subject areas and increasing the number of post-secondary graduates who are prepared for STEM occupations (Conference Board of Canada, 2013; National Research Council (U.S.A), 2013). STEM education reforms vary globally as not all reform efforts use similar strategies or have similar goals (Freeman et al., 2019; Mudaly & Chirikure, 2023; Wilson, 2013). Some occur through top-down approaches and are in response to policy and often impose changes on classroom teachers, leading to failed reform efforts (Coburn, 2003).