The teaching of the integrated subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is gaining importance in Grades K–12 in the United States (U.S.). STEM is viewed by many as an opportunity to collapse the teaching of these subjects individually by using a more interdisciplinary approach to learning. This paper will define STEM and provide a discussion of why STEM is important in education in the U.S. today. Additionally, the paper will address how STEM can be implemented in schools, along with how it can be implemented with the nationally-developed educational standards and assessments in the U.S.
The concept of integrating subjects in U.S. schools, especially at the secondary school level, generally is not new and has not been very successful in the past. Some people consider STEM as an opportunity while others view it as having problems. STEM appears to offer some positive ways to integrate subject matter in four very important subjects.