Last updated: 08 Oct 2008

What is STEM?

In a modern technological society there is a need for a workforce that is well educated in all aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Industry and research need experts who can synthesise the components of STEM in innovative and creative ways. The government has identified STEM as a national priority. Developing STEM literacy is a way of approaching the curriculum through all subjects, but particularly through science, design and technology, engineering and mathematics, with ICT integrated throughout.

The science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) agenda aims to meet the increasing demands of the STEM sector and, in doing so, help develop the UK economy. This aim was echoed in the Chancellor's 2006 budget and a revised version of the Science and innovation investment framework.

Making STEM part of your curriculum

There are a number of ways in which you can use the new secondary curriculum that can be used to inform planning for STEM.

Compare the programmes of study

You can use the curriculum website tocompare the new programmes of study and identify common themes that might form the basis for shared planning. Go to the website, select 'Key stages 3 and 4' and choose 'Subjects'. On each subject page you will find 'Tools for comparing subjects', and here you can align the importance statements, key concepts, key processes, range and content and curriculum opportunities of pairs of subjects. For example, the key concepts of science, mathematics and design and technology all emphasise creativity, critical understanding, understanding the historical and cultural roots of these disciplines and their importance in modern society.

Develop a compelling learning experience

You could develop a compelling learning experience that will provide subject-specific understanding in different areas of the curriculum. For example, investigating early war machines such as the trebuchet could include work on projectiles in science, the ethics of war in citizenship, mathematical modelling,  modelling in design and technology and much more.

Explore a curriculum activity

You could develop an activity from a programme of study and explore the potential links, for example 'The practical applications of systems and control' in design and technology. This offers opportunities to explore data logging in a range of contexts including science and geography, and to use mathematics to analyse the data.

Explore a curriculum dimension

You could take a whole curriculum dimension and explore the potential links. In the global dimension, 'What is the Islamic contribution to STEM?' could lead to work on calculations with decimals, trigonometry, algebra and geometric constructions in mathematics; irrigation, optics and medicine in science and technology; geometric design in art; and ethical issues about the contribution of different cultures and religions to human scientific understanding through the centuries. For more information on cross-curriculum dimensions, go to the curriculum website.