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Thursday, June 23, 2011

New Report Offers Roadmap for Success in K-12 STEM Education

nsf.gov - National Science Foundation (NSF) News - New Report Offers Roadmap for Success in K-12 STEM Education - US National Science Foundation (NSF)

New Report Offers Roadmap for Success in K-12 STEM Education

With funding from the National Science Foundation, the National Research Council reports on effective approaches in teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Photo of children playing with space-filling blocks.

Recommendations include devoting adequate instructional time and resources for K-5th grade science.
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June 23, 2011

From educators to leaders in industry, there is broad agreement that U.S. schools have a crucial challenge in improving teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) among students from kindergarten through high school. A background in STEM is not only essential to many current and future careers; it is also a means for citizens to understand and participate in an increasingly complex world--from understanding the challenges of environmental sustainability to addressing the need for alternative sources of energy.

The NRC report, "Successful K-12 STEM Education," is a response to a request from a member of Congress, Rep. Frank Wolf, to identify the characteristics of highly successful K-12 schools and programs in STEM. The report was prepared by a committee of educators led by Adam Gamoran of the