As part of a larger study investigating the perceptions of university academics about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); STEM learning environments; and necessary capabilities for STEM educators at a university, this article reports a sample of academics' perceptions of STEM and its teaching and learning, as gleaned from…

Mathematical representations are 'visible productions' that embody mathematical ideas. The author guides teachers with suggestions for the use of representations in mathematical problem solving with students. Representations can be used to help make abstract mathematical ideas accessible, allowing teachers and students to interpret, communicate,…

This study explored school principals' and teacher educators' perceptions of STEM education based on how they described STEM as a discipline, their understanding of the nature of teaching and learning of STEM, and the capabilities of a STEM-educated person. Data were generated through the Draw a STEM Learning Environment (D-STEM) instrument…

The drive to explore students' experiences in mathematics classrooms remains imperative for mathematics education research in order to better understand how effective teaching and learning classroom practices lead to desirable learning outcomes. As part of a larger research project exploring a group of 120 Turkish middle school students' (grades 6…

The current study examined pictorial and written descriptions of mathematics teaching and learning among a cohort of 120 students (aged 11 to 14 years) in three different lower secondary schools in Ankara, Turkey. A classroom environment with students working in groups or pairs and engaging in open-ended questions or tasks was unavailable. The…

How a sample of university educators described STEM, expected outcomes of STEM, expertise of STEM educators, and STEM learning environments were investigated through drawing- and text- based responses. Data were examined by applying the "Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) Specialisation" plane (Maton, 2014). Participants generally held…

The present study examined lower secondary students' images of mathematics, comprised of stated attitudes to and perceived needs for mathematics, and views about mathematicians and their work. A group of 1284 lower secondary students drew a picture of mathematician at work and described their drawings. The students' drawings fell into two distinct…

In this paper, the authors introduce a research instrument (Draw a STEM Learning Environment: D-STEM) and its accompanying rubric (the D-STEM Rubric), both of which were developed based upon relevant research studies. The authors describe their usefulness to school principals in commencing conversations with their school's STEM [Science,…

The present study aimed to examine lower secondary students? images of mathematics comprised of stated attitudes to and perceived needs for mathematics, and their views about mathematicians and their work. A group of 1284 lower secondary students drew a picture of mathematicians and described their drawings. The students? drawings fell into two…