39th Annual Student Research Conference
How to Imporove STEM Education for Elementary Students
Avery H. Larson
Dr. Jocelyn Stevens, Faculty Mentor
This project looks at factors that contribute to effective STEM instruction in elementary classrooms, specifically how hands-on activities support early numeracy and problem?solving. While the importance of STEM is widely-recognized, many classrooms rely on traditional instruction that lacks creativity. Furthermore, many teachers report varying levels of preparation and confidence when it comes to teaching STEM. Using a literature review that integrates research from developmental psychology, STEM pedagogy, teacher education, and the learning sciences, the project synthesizes findings from classroom observations, teacher surveys, and student task analyses across these fields. The findings highlight how using manipulatives and inquiry?based tasks enhance conceptual understanding, while identifying obstacles that restrict effective implementation. Results emphasize the critical role of teacher efficacy and access to appropriate materials. Using multiple disciplines, this work clarifies what effective STEM teaching looks like in practice and offers suggestions for improving teacher preparation and curriculum design to better support hands-on learning.
Keywords: STEM, Teacher Preparation, Developmental Psychology, Pedagogy
Topic(s):Education
Psychology
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: -4
Location: SUB Georgian B
Time: 9:15