Primary Context - STEM Policy

STEM Education

The STEM Education Policy Statement 2017-2026 was released in November 2017 in order to address challenges in STEM education. The policy aim was to define STEM, the rationale for a STEM policy, the vision and ambition for enhancing teaching and learning in STEM and the implementation of the policy.

The key principles (see page 10) underpinning the STEM Education Policy Statement acknowledge that :

STEM is about igniting learners’ curiosity so they participate in solving real world problems and make informed career choices.
STEM is interdisciplinary, enabling learners to build and apply knowledge, deepen their understanding and develop creative and critical thinking skills within authentic contexts.
STEM education embodies creativity, art and design

STEM education focuses on developing a range of Key Skills (See Figure 1 page 7) that are essential for living and working in today’s world. These skills have a direct impact on the learning experiences provided in educational settings.

Implications for the primary classroom

Learners will engage in a range of activities in the classroom that include:

using their skills and content knowledge to creatively solve problems
imagining, questioning and exploring
collaborating with others
engaging in inquiry and analysis
innovating, designing and making
testing and modifying solutions to complex problems
Use of STEM teaching and assessment practices based on inquiry based methodologies

Further supports

STEM Education Policy
STEM Education Implementation Plan 2017
The PDST have developed a range of supports for STEM in the primary school at PDST Primary STEM Resources

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