Enhancing Scientific Literacy Through STEM-Based Lessons

Abstract

Contemporary global trends in education are primarily focused on the forms, methods, and tools of teaching and learning, aiming to create a diverse, dynamic, engaging, and effective educational process. Scientific literacy is a modern trend in science education, oriented toward rethinking and updating the educational goals in the direction of developing knowledge, skills, and competences necessary for solving real-world problems. These goals are essential for every individual to achieve successful social integration and personal and professional realization. Over the past few years, STEM education has become the most successful model for the development of scientific literacy. A recent study reveals that STEM education substantially helps students in the comprehension of scientific notions, raises their interest and encouragement, and develops their higher-order thinking skills like critical analysis and problem-solving [1], [2]. Integrated STEM methods, in addition, had a positive impact on students’ motivation and their ability to decide on socio-scientific issues based on the evidence that is the core of scientific literacy [3]. As educational systems will be changed, STEM integration is the key to support future generations with the skills required for informed citizenship and sustainable innovation.