This paper presents a reflective, critical analysis of the original roll-out and implementation of Aistear, the curriculum framework for early childhood education in Ireland, in advance of a forthcoming update. This article considers the methods engaged to implement a national roll-out of Aistear from 2009 and the subsequent availability of…

What has been learned in the 75-year evolution of the teaching profession to implement technology as a subject and as a unique approach that supports Integrative STEM teaching and learning? In this article, Ronald Todd addresses this question by examining selected activities and efforts that: (1) have shown some success in enhancing the…

The last decade has seen an explosion of new pedagogical programs, modules, and curricula in undergraduate STEM courses. Despite the importance of effective dissemination in spreading such programs to a broader community of users, relatively little attention is typically given to the needs of potential adopters. In this paper, we build on previous…

Educational policy and management emphasise the role of science (e.g., earth science, geography) as a fundamental aspect of societal advance, but student enrolments at universities in these disciplines remain low. This commentary explores ways to foster more collaboration between university academics and high school teachers to implement…

Background: Spatial thinking skills are strongly correlated with achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields and emerging research suggests that interventions aimed at building students' skills will likely yield measurable impacts on learning across K-12 settings. The importance of spatial thinking in science has…

Elementary schools in the United States have been the terrain of a highly politicized push for improved reading and mathematics attainment, as well as calls for increased importance to be given to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). With priorities placed on basic skills, however, instructional time in subjects such as…

This article identifies a number of issues associated with current STEM education reform efforts, especially with regard to efforts to integrate engineering education into the K-12 curriculum. Precollege engineering is especially problematic in STEM reform since there is no well-established tradition of engineering in the K-12 curriculum. This…

Radical reform in science and mathematics education is needed to prepare citizens for challenges of the emerging knowledge-based global economy. We consider definite proposals to establish: (1) "Standards of science and math literacy" for all students. (2) "Integration of the science curriculum" with structure of matter,…