Interdisciplinary approaches to chemistry education

Abstract

This paper describes the application of a framework for K-12 integrated STEM to the teaching and learning of high school chemistry. The  paper draws on a detailed conceptual framework for K-12 integrated STEM education that includes seven characteristics: (a) focus on real-world problems, (b) centrality of engineering, (c) context integration, (d) content integration, (e) STEM practices, (f) twenty-first  century skills, and (g) informing students about STEM careers. Examples relevant to high school chemistry are used to illustrate each  characteristic and its role in improving chemistry education.