ERIC Number: EJ1187881
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1046-560X
EISSN: N/A
The Evolution of Teacher Conceptions of STEM Education throughout an Intensive Professional Development Experience
Ring, Elizabeth A.; Dare, Emily A.; Crotty, Elizabeth A.; Roehrig, Gillian H.
Journal of Science Teacher Education, v28 n5 p444-467 2017
National reform documents are calling for an upsurge in the development of integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curricula to simultaneously increase the number of kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12) students involved in STEM-related coursework and increase the competitiveness of the United States in the STEM-related workforce. With this emphasis on the development of STEM curricula, there is also a need to improve the understanding of education professionals as to what teachers' conceptions of integrated STEM currently are. This study explored how teachers' conceptions of integrated STEM developed over the course of a 3-week-long summer professional development whose focus was on bringing integrated STEM education to science classrooms. Our findings revealed a total of 8 distinct conceptions as represented by teachers' drawn models that shifted in usage over the course of the 3 weeks. Overall, these conceptions started as simple models that grew to more complex models. These findings provide insight into (a) how K-12 science teachers conceptualize STEM integration and (b) how, if at all, these conceptions change over the course of a professional development program. Our findings also indicate the sensitive nature of conceptions of STEM integration that can be influenced by professional development experiences.
Descriptors: Teacher Attitudes, STEM Education, Educational Change, Integrated Curriculum, Faculty Development, Summer Programs, Science Instruction, Science Teachers, Case Studies, Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: DRL1238140