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STEM, Robots, Codes, Maker’s Spaces Overview
LaQuananisha Adams
School of Education, Liberty University
Author Note
LaQuananisha Adams
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to LaQuananisha
Adams
Email: ladams112@liberty.edu
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Technology has become an important component of education. Technology
allows for educators to use technology to engage students by bringing out their
personalities, interests all while using problem solving skills, creativity, and real-world
experiences to support student learning. STEM, Robotics, Coding, and Maker’s Spaces
are all popular methods of education in K-12 schools. STEM stands for Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and is a culmination of all these areas put into
hands on activities that students are able to participate in to develop students’ minds using
authentic contexts and real-world problem solving. Robotics is included in teaching
methods use STEM and allows students to use their creativity to build robots that can do
whatever they would like. Robotics has become a very important aspect of technology
and education because of everything robots are able to do for people. Coding is a skill
that allows students and adults to use problem solving skills to create different things
such as games. Lastly maker’s spaces is a movement that allows students to learn using
their creativity skills and interests. This movement promotes choice for students and
allows students to engage in hands on learning activities.
All these components have huge impacts on education and will continue to develop the
way we teach and learn for years.
STEM (STEAM)
“STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
and has become the guiding star for education” (Schrum et al., 2020). STEM is an
important strategy in education due to the idea of implementing a hands-on approach to
learning and relating content to student’s real-world experiences (Schrum et al., 2020).
STEM has become a common vocabulary term in education throughout the 21st century
due to the many technological advances that occur each year. “Driven by genuine or
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perceived current and future shortages in the STEM workforce, many education systems
and policy makers around the globe are preoccupied with advancing competencies in
STEM domains” (Kelley et al., 2016). With the integration of STEM in education
involves the work of implementing the arts, creativity, and more skills that will develop
the individual student mind and prepare them for a workforce that will require the
knowledge and problem solving with the use of technology and engineering skills.
Developing a shared understanding and language around
“STEM” is important as the field of education has long
suffered from a lack of common technical vocabulary, thus
slowing the growth of high‐quality teaching and resulting
in idiosyncratic and less than coherent professional devel-
opment trajectories
Developing a shared understanding and language around
“STEM” is important as the field of education has long
suffered from a lack of common technical vocabulary, thus
slowing the growth of high‐quality teaching and resulting
in idiosyncratic and less than coherent professional devel-
opment trajectorie
Why is it significant?
The purpose of STEM is to prepare the students for what is to come of the future
with technology. “An integrated STEM approach is designed to bring students into the
world of authentic contexts, to investigate realistic problems that have no simple answers,
using active learning and teaching” (Schrum et al., 2020 p. 8). Technology is the future,
if students are unprepared for the reality of what the world will become our economy will
be left behind. From the Space Race against the Soviet Union, The United States has
always been on top. In order to continue to make these advances and stay on top, we
must consistently prepare our students so that when they take over, they are prepared. By
incorporating STEM into education from start to finish, students will be successful.
What are the downsides and/or barriers and how might these be overcome?
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Technology has created a shift in the environment and will continuously change
what the world needs over time. Students must have the skills and mindset to handle the
complex challenges that are coming soon. “The process of integrating science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics in authentic contexts can be as complex as the
global challenges that demand a new generation of STEM experts” (Kelley et al., 2016).
One main barrier to incorporating STEM in everyday education is the knowledge and
preparation from teachers. Educational researchers indicate that teachers struggle to
make connections across content areas (Kelley et al., 2016). With the proper professional
development done on a consistent basis, teachers will be more prepared to deliver the
content using STEM strategies.
Another major problem is student engagement. Many students are often
disinterested in science and math when they are not a part of the learning process with
real-world applications (Kelley et al., 2016). The way to overcome this barrier is for
teachers to use the appropriate instructional technology to engage students and also relate
all content and problem-solving activities to each students real world experiences. In
order for this to happen, teachers must develop relationships with their students and take
the time to differentiate individual activities for students.
Another key barrier to implementing STEM in all schools to prepare all students
is funding. To effectively implement STEM all schools need funds available to purchase
technology and other tools that are very expensive. To overcome this barrier, it would be
helpful for schools to partner with the community to receive donations to support student
learning. The Mableton Coalition Improvement program would be an example of a
community outreach program that could help raise the fund needed in the city of
Mableton.
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Education - Mableton Improvement Coalition
Where is it going in the future?
Having technology skills is the key to success in the ongoing future. From 2014 –
2024, the number of jobs involving STEM will grow 17% or more (Schrum et al., 2020).
As of 2021, technology is a main aspect of most individuals personal and professional
lives. We walk around with computers at our fingertips each and every day. The
development of technology within the next decade is unfathomable due to the many
technological advances that have taken place throughout the 21st century alone. Critical
thinking skills are very important for students to develop, teaching content in a way that
involves students solving problems daily will allow for these skills to develop. Further
research will need to be done to keep up with the overall impact on STEM integration
(Kelley et al., 2016). In the meantime, funding must be distributed appropriately for this
initiative to be successful for all.
Robotics
“While STEM has become the buzzword, the teaching of STEM content has
recently taken a focus on coding and robotics” Schrum et al., 2020). Robotics continues
to be integrated into STEM education. “Educational robotics (ER) is a valuable tool for
developing students’ cognitive and social skills and it has greatly attracted the interest of
teachers and researchers alike, from pre-school to university, during the last two decades”
(Kucuk et al., 2017, p. 1). A holistic approach is taken when implementing robotics in
conjunction with STEM educational opportunities. Research has proven that behaviors
from students experiencing hands on learning with robotics improved due to the
consistent interaction between teachers and students (Kucuk et al., 2017). Robotics is a
great way to get students involved in the learning process. There have been many
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instances when children play with their own robots that they have created (Kucuk et al.,
2017). Although there are security issues that may arise in the development of robotics
and the use of technology in general, results showed that students who were taught using
robotics had greater success within the content of science (Schrum et al., 2020).
Why is it significant?
Robotics in conjunction with STEM in early education promotes academic
opportunities for students to become critical thinkers. Using examples from schools
provides evidence that implementing robotics in school encourages students to acquire
21st century skills of technology, collaborative skills, and creativity (Schrum et al., 2017).
All criteria which are needed to be successful in society. Robotics are being used in
many professions, including the medical and science fields. Robots will continue to be
used to help people and advance day to day operations in business and in individual
personal lives.
What are the downsides and/or barriers and how might these be overcome?
As mentioned before, funding in education for all is an issue. Unfortunately,
students attending schools in low income areas may not receive the same opportunities to
build robotics at school. These 21st century skills are needed for all students to succeed
no matter the socioeconomic status they are living in. Everyone has the right to an
adequate education. To afford everyone with an adequate education, education funds
must distributed from the government equally. Schools must also partner with
community businesses and outreach programs to ask for help. Donations from parents,
community members, grants from the government, and sponsors are needed.
Where is it going in the future?
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Robotics will continue to be a resource that we all use in some way or another.
Robotics is computer science and according to Schrum & Sumerfield (2020) the
experiences from learning computer science benefits student social emotional
development. It is exciting to see the technological advances that will occur within the
next century and how implementing them in education consistently will help our students
succeed when they enter the real world.
Hour of Code (Coding in Education)
Coding is an important component of computer science and STEM (Schrum et al.,
2020). Coding promotes creativity due to the wide range of things that can be done in
coding. The beauty of coding is that anyone can code. Many people have made coding a
profession, this profession will continue to grow as technology advances. If students are
learning coding beginning in elementary, that is another skill that helps develop student
minds in other ways as well making them well rounded individuals.
Why is it significant?
“Coding is about thinking” (Schrum et al., 2020). Coding is a component in
education that may schools are beginning to take part in. Coding is an essential aspect of
education due to the many areas it can help students grow. Coding requires precision in
literacy skills in writing, spelling, and comprehension (Schrum et al., 2020). Critical
thinking skills are developed by teaching coding and the best part about coding is that
many students are heavily engaged in the activity of coding. Research has shown that
students involved in coding had a positive attitude towards the use of learning, teaching,
cognitive skills and technology (Tugun, 2018) .When students are engaged, students
learn.
What are the downsides and/or barriers and how might these be overcome?
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The downside to coding is that there are many students who are interested in
participating, but there are so many student who are not interested in coding. If
elementary schools made coding apart of lessons, students may become better at it and
eventually find joy in participating. The same as reading, there are so many students who
do not like reading but they have no choice because it is a requirement in life.
Technology is needed for coding, if schools do not have the appropriate amount of
effective technology teaching coding will not be possible. Teachers also need t
understand coding and how to teach it. In order to overcome this barrier, as mentioned
previously, teachers must participate in ongoing professional development.
Where is it going in the future?
Coding is an engaging activity for many students that promotes creativity and
critical thinking skills. Coding is going nowhere, it will only progress from here. Coding
involves using basic logic (Schrum et al., 2020) to problem solve, therefore many schools
will make coding a class rather than just a club so students are able to gain more
experience and improve their overall knowledge.
Maker’s Spaces
The growth of the Maker Movement has had a profound impact on education
(Bell et al., 2020). Maker’s spaces is a movement that is about the use of technology and
doing it yourself (DIY) to create anything. The maker’s space movement involves
children and adults and involves the use of high technology to the use of no technology at
all. Maker’s space promotes creativity and critical thinking skills no matter the setting.
Why is it significant?
The maker’s space movement is significant because it is a place where learners
have the opportunity to explore their own interests (Schrum et al., 2020). This movement
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includes hands on learning and allows students to learn through experience, this is a very
engaging strategy to use in the classroom. Students are able to choose their activities and
personalize their learning based on their passions and interests (Schrum et al., 2020).
Maker’s space in education allows for students to be responsible for their learning by
participating in meaningful activities that relate to their everyday lives.
What are the downsides and/or barriers and how might these be overcome?
There are few downsides to maker’s spaces. Equipment is needed, so schools will
have to buy the appropriate equipment and it could be expensive. By partnering with the
community, schools may be able to receive what they need from equipment donations to
monetary donations. Space is also needed to include maker’s spaces in education. The
use of the media center, gym, or even outside may be a way to overcome this barrier.
Where is it going in the future?
“Educators, potential funders, and policy makers also need to know what maker’s
spaces may afford regarding the future of STEM and STEAM education in the coming
decades” (Schrum et al., 2020). Maker’s spaces is a may to make education fun and
place the responsibility of learning in the hands of the students. From experience,
students enjoy and remain engaged in activities that they are able to choose and that
relate to their lives. This makes the learning process fun and beneficial. More and more
opportunities are becoming available to engage students in the learning process and
maker’s spaces will do nothing but grow in the coming years.
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References
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Kelley, R., Knowles, G. (2016). A conceptual framework for integrated STEM education.
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2017.04.002
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