How Mathematics in STEM Can Contribute to Responsible Citizenship Education in Schools

Developing students’ responsible citizenshipResponsible citizenship is an essential outcome of a quality school education. Understanding one’s rights and responsibilities as a citizen is critical to addressing many local, national and global issuesGlobal issues such as sustainabilitySustainability and climate changeClimate change. Through integrated STEM curriculumIntegrated STEM curriculum tasks and lessons, students can begin by investigating local issues connected to their lives and based on their experiences. Since place and contextContexts matter, these experiencesPlace-based experiences will vary across schools, districts and regions. Early understandings should then lead to exploring more complex social issuesSocial issues such as food sustainabilitySustainability, biodiversity, human rightsHuman rights and social justiceSocial justice at the national and international levels. Through modellingModelling scenarios, using data to explore trends, collecting and analysing information, or critically evaluating claims made in the media, students have opportunities to use mathematical understandings to develop the skills and dispositions to become responsible citizens.