TERMINOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN DEFINITIONS OF STEM-EDUCATION

Abstract

One of the main aspects of the innovative development of STEM-education is the introduction of innovative pedagogical approaches and teaching methods. STEM education is based on active learning that includes problem-based, project-based, and research-based approaches.The analysis of the literature proved that the topic of STEM education was researched by many Ukrainian and foreign scientists. M. John, A. Nicolas, V. Rokhov, S. Sosnovskyi studied the approaches; N. Morze, О. Stryzhak considered the theoretical foundations. І. Slipukhina, V. Chornomorets in his works found out the content of the implementation of STEM-technologies. О. Stryzhak, І. Slipukhina, N. Polikhun, І. Chernetskyi considered the main concepts of STEM-education. The purpose of this ar- ticle is to reveal the main definitions of STEM-education. The scientific novelty consists in the selection of different approaches to the concepts of STEM-education, the authors who research this issue are detailed, and the specific concepts are defined on the basis of the analyzed sources.In the course of a scientific search, it was established that the scientist N. Valko found out that for the first time STEM-education as a new direction appeared in the documents of the USA in 2001, in Ukraine – in 2015, and is considered as a curriculum that includes the following disciplines: science, design, engineering and mathematics. We tend to define the term as follows: it is an educational program that prepares students in elementary, middle, high school, as well as college, university and graduate students for the purpose of comprehensive development and focuses on the combination of science, mathematics, technology and engineering. Considered the well-known concept of STEM-education – it is the space of an individual in which he can ex- plore, experiment, studying various subjects, work in a team and search for his “self”.STEM-education is based on STEM-competencies and skills. N. Honcharenko interprets them as follows: first, the system of knowledge, abilities and skills; secondly, values and personal qualities that characterize innovative activity; thirdly, the ability to solve problems, work in a team, be able to control emotions and negotiate. In the composition of STEM-competencies, it is possible to distinguish characteristic specific components, which include cognitive, reflective-analytical, operational-activity, value-motivational ones. STEM-competencies are important for preparing young people for future professional challenges and the development of innovative technologies. We consider it expedient to highlight the following statements: STEM learning tools are a set of equipment, ideas, actions and phenomena with the help of which research, experimental and other works are carried out in lessons and in extracurricular time (circles). STEM-methods are a specific activity of students and teachers, during which the former discover new things and make discoveries themselves with the help of special methods and forms of work. Analysis of the concept of STEM-technologies by scientists N. Valko and O. Barna. allow us to highlight that technologies in STEM are a complex of psychological and pedagogical tools aimed at the formation of professional and socio-economic com- petences in the process of combining disciplines and collective work.Thus, the terminological analysis of the main definitions of STEM-education is of great relevance for improving the com- mon understanding and practical application of STEM-education, as well as for improving the quality of education and prepar- ing young people for the modern technological world. We highlighted the main concepts of STEM-education, innovative and STEM-technologies, STEM-specialist, STEM-competencies, innovative technologies, STEM-laboratory, STEM-tools and methods. The essence of some concepts was also explained with clarifications.A modern integrated direction will ensure the development of critical thinking, technological thinking and communication skills, which are becoming increasingly important for success in the future labor market. Terminology analysis will help you confidently identify and develop curricula that meet these needs. We consider it necessary to further reveal the content of STEM-education, as this study did not cover the entire topic.