An Analyses and Meta-Synthesis of Research on STEM Education

Abstract

The purpose of the current study is to draw an outline of empirical research studies conducted on STEM education with a focus on student achievement, in addition to their creativity and problem solving skills, attitudes and interests towards STEM subjects. After an initial screening of several articles, papers and dissertations on STEM education, 33 studies are selected according to their fit into our research framework. These selected studies are exposed to analysis and synthesis processes in line with the stages of meta-synthesis research method to specify and present findings under the specified themes. The findings include the strong alignment between STEM education principles and international comparison studies, such as PISA/TIMSS, as well as a positive impact of STEM education on student achievement at school and on their attitudes towards individual STEM disciplines. There is also evidence to support that interventions that follow STEM education principles reinforce students’ problem solving and creativity.

Keywords: STEM education, meta-synthesis studies, science and mathematics education