A. Context of STEM Education in Saudi Arabia
Science and Mathematics in Saudi Arabia are taught
from the first through tenth grade as compulsory subjects
for all students (primary through middle school) in
gender segregated schools in compliance with cultural
principles [7]. In both the eleventh and twelfth grades
(secondary stage), students are taught science and math
only if they choose the scientific track. As in most
countries, in the primary and middle schools, science is
introduced as one subject where science classes and
textbooks include biology, chemistry and physics content,
while it starts in the tenth grade to branch out to specific
subjects - biology, chemistry, physics and geology [8].
As for teacher education, teacher education programs
are discipline-oriented, each in their silos. Science and
math teachers are usually prepared through several
teacher-education institutions.
When it comes to implementation and teacher practices
in schools after finalising educational programs, it is
noticed that classroom teaching is mostly done
independently as teachers prepare and deliver their
lessons individually. This in itself sets the tone for a
certain culture in the school of how teachers work and
how they interact together within and across disciplines.
It is not common, therefore, that science and math
teachers, for example, sit together and identify crosscutting content or skills. Accordingly, the three possible
models of instruction of an interdisciplinary curriculum
(parallel, cross-disciplinary and infusion) do not exist in
current practices [9]. As for the practical side of science
teaching, most schools, in general, are equipped with
science labs where students can carry out hands-on
activities. There is, however, no precise organisation or
pre-set requirement plans to students' visits to the labs.
Having said that, it is commonly perceived that labs are
not utilized as expected or required by the curriculum.