Head of Near East University Atatürk Faculty of Education Department of Mathematics and Sciences, Prof. Dr. Semra Mirici, gave STEM education to academicians and students regarding integrating four significant disciplines via an interdisciplinary approach to sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM is the abbreviation of Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics and STEM education is referred to as the key to a productive, competent and creative community. That is, STEM is a curriculum which is based on the idea of educating students in the four aforementioned disciplines in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teaching tyhe four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.
According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Semra Mirici gave STEM education over two weeks to academicians and students comprising both theoretical and applied information. She informed them on the necessity of STEM education and work/studies carried out on STEM around the world. Additionally, she provided them an exemplary activity on STEM.
‘STEM workshop on Make your own microscope!’
The academic members and students who attended the STEM education gain insights into biology, physics, mathematics, engineering and design with an integral approach and achieved knowledge on how these disciplines could be combined into a single cohesive curriculum. The education included the STEM procedures such as problem identification, problem solving, method identification, designing, evaluation and product promotion. At the end of the STEM workshop, the participants described and promoted the microscope they had designed themselves. Commenting after the education, the participants pointed how pleased they were to take part in the STEM education and that they had benefited from it quite a lot. In fact, they even stated that they looked forward and demanded another STEM program.
Prof. Dr. Semra Mirici: “The production of the GÜNSEL Electric-Powered Car is a true STEM Process”
Making a statement regarding STEM Education, Prof. Dr. Semra Mirici expressed that in order to meet the needs of the digital era we are in we needed to raise individuals that are equipped with 21st century knowledge and skills. Moreover, she stated that this was also a necessity for the development of our country. Prof. Dr. Semra Mirici further added that if universities, educational establishments and institutions adopt STEM education, they were sure to contribute and improve their successes. She pointed out that the GÜNSEL Hybrid car was an exemplary STEM project; such that the production processes involved for the GÜNSEL electric-powered car was a true STEM process. She emphasised that what the Near East University had initiated was promising and pioneering for the future success of the country.
A STEM Workshop was realised…
Prof. Dr. Semra Mirici stated that she has acted as Biology Consultant in the project actualised as part of the Stem Makers & Fest Expo, so as to promote and spread STEM education, workshops held in Ankara, Konya, Kocaeli and Antalya, Turkey. Furthermore, “TÜBİTAK-1001 supported Science Projects: A Developmental Model for promoting Science-Community Communication and Improving the effect of science in education via educating teachers and instructors”. Moreover, she stated that they had developed many STEM workshops.
What is the aim of STEM Education?
The word ‘STEM’ was first put forward by Judith A. Ramaley, Director of The National Science Foundation in 2001 and has spread since then. It was observed that individuals who were knowledgeable on STEM were able to better cope and deal with problems encountered during daily lives; enabling them to make better judgments which then helps them to solve the problem.
STEM education includes project based learning, enquiry, designing activities, team work, creative drama and preparing STEM lesson workshops. It must be noted that teachers fully equipped with knowledge and skills of STEM education played a key role. In this regard, STEM education was provided to future teachers pursing their education at Near East University Atatürk Faculty of Education; to raise awareness and help and promote professional development.