Abstract
Invited plenary lecture at the EME 2023 International Conference.
STEM education has taken very different forms in recent decades, ranging from the integration of related school subjects through curricular and extracurricular activities, their formal and informal organization, to the application of different teaching methods and organizational forms, with a strong emphasis on project-based approaches. Project-based learning with problem-solving, inquiry, and collaborative methods can meaningfully support the design, process, and outcome of inter-, multi-, and transdisciplinary learning activities, of which STEM (STEAM, STREAM, etc.) can be a prime example. However, further research is needed to explore the critical factors in the development of students' knowledge, skills and attitudes and their ability to apply the knowledge they have gained in real life. This is also a major challenge for related teacher preparation and pedagogical practice and reflection.