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Updates from the peers: common challenges and tasks

At the beginning of day one, each peer gave a brief update on the educational challenges and developments their respective country currently faces. It became clear that current global crises, changing demographics, economic recessions, and growing inequality – all against the backdrop of a rapid emergence of new technology and AI – have an impact on local politics, especially in the (STEM) education sector.

Get to know the IDoS peers here

Keeping science teaching relevant 

Day-care centres and primary schools are struggling with staff shortages leaving less time for continuing professional development. As a result, there is a strong focus on teaching reading and math to address the decline in basic skills among children. However, this often overlooks the fact that science and inquiry-based learning can also significantly enhance these core competencies. 

For instance, the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s (SSEC) LASER i3 Research Study results demonstrate that “inquiry science improves student achievement not only in science but also in reading and math for students of all abilities at elementary and middle school”.

A more recent study on this phenomena will be linked here shortly.

Cognitive- and social-emotional learning combined to drive change

The peers agreed that teaching and learning in STEM Education must stay relevant by addressing real-life problems and future challenges, such as climate change and sustainability. It is essential to balance cognitive learning (thinking, understanding, and problem-solving) with social-emotional learning (empathy and interpersonal skills). Both aspects are important and, when combined, foster innovation and positive societal change.

Focus topic: white paper "Early STEM Education in the Digital Age"

On day two, the peers finalised their new publication on the topic of "Early STEM Education in the Digital Age". The white paper focuses on the integration of digital tools and the promotion of digital literacy in early STEM Education, starting from kindergarten, and discusses both the benefits and risks of this approach. It shares research along with practical evidence from the IDoS peers.

The white paper will be published in November 2024.

Importance of global networks in education sector

The peers agreed that meeting regularly and exchanging what’s new and pressing in the field of early STEM Education is beneficial for all. Insights from other countries and solutions to commonly faced problems are actively being transferred by each peer into their own organisations and local networks, to help make them more resilient and quality-based.

This year’s in-person peer meeting was enabled by the generous funding by the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation and Siemens Stiftung. Siemens Stiftung, the co-initiator and funding partner of the International Dialogue – also kindly hosted the meeting at their premises this year.

IDoS is under the auspices of the OECD.

People applauding after a speech

© René Arnold / Stiftung Kinder forschen

About IDoS

The "International Dialogue on STEM Education" (IDoS) is a joint initiative of Siemens Stiftung and Stiftung Kinder forschen. Together with leading organisations in the field of early STEM Education for Sustainable Development they regularly engage in an international peer dialogue.

About the IDoS Network
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