Exploring STEM competences for the 21st century

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify and describe the contributory elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) competence (i.e. the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes and values) associated with the four core STEM subject and the potential approaches to teaching STEM that must be considered in order to effectively implement it within the curriculum. By highlighting the underlying principles and foundations of each contributory discipline, this paper aims to provide a basis for the development of a STEM competence framework that might helpfully illustrate and enable the coherent and effective integration of a competence-based approach across the STEM field.