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Mathematics as a central focus in STEM – Theoretical and practical insights from a special study program within pre-service (prospective) teacher education
Siller, Hans-Stefan Günster, Stephan Geiger, Vincent Stephen
Siller, Hans-Stefan
Günster, Stephan
Geiger, Vincent Stephen
Abstract
The ability to apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in an adaptable, critical and creative way when confronted with real-world problems is central to productive participation in personal, civic and work life. Thus, the ability to apply mathematics to real world problems is key to active participation in, and contribution to, society in an increasingly changing world characterized by rapid technological, economic and social change. In order to pilot the idea of actualising STEM teaching and learning with a focus on critical thinking, facilitated via mathematical modelling, we designed and implemented a seminar series as part of a special study program. In this program, we adopted an interdisciplinary approach to STEM by focusing on the use of mathematical modelling and critical thinking to address problems in science and engineering. The course was designed and implemented as a seminar series consisting of five sessions as part of a special study program called MINT-Lehramt-plus (MINT is the German term for STEM, while “Lehramt” translates to the job of teaching). In this chapter, we will describe our approach and exemplify its implementation via the presentation of one task designed by the researchers as an immersion experience for students, and a second task created by a course participant. Our chosen approach demonstrates that the subject of mathematics plays an underpinning role in integrated STEM at both theoretical and practical levels – as presented by Just and Siller (2022). Further, the findings of this study indicate that critical thinking can be integrated into pre-service teachers education via mathematical modelling tasks.
Keywords
Date
2024
Type
Book chapter
Journal
Book
Disciplinaryand interdisciplinary education in STEM : Changes and innovations
Volume
Issue
Page Range
317-343
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education (ILSTE)
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
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Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled