In Tasmanian Government schools, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education is defined as a planned, intentional, interdisciplinary[1] approach to teaching and learning.
In this approach, content and skills from curriculum areas are used to investigate real world questions and issues through project based learning. In the process, learners develop STEM literacy in the key curriculum areas.
STEM literacy enables learners to identify, apply and integrate key ideas[2] and processes from science, technology, engineering and mathematics to understand complex problems and offer innovative solutions.
STEM approaches highlight connections between the learning areas of Science, Mathematics and Technologies (which can include engineering) and the broad capabilities and dispositions learners will need in a rapidly changing world.
[1] Interdisciplinary approaches to curriculum blend the content and key ideas from the respective subjects in the Australian Curriculum to address a problem or challenge. The areas are drawn upon in planning through a backward design process (e.g. Wiggins and McTighe, 2004)
[2] ‘Key ideas’ are elements from each of the Australian Curriculum learning areas see Science, Technologies and Mathematics