A Robust Framework for Integrated STEM Curriculum and Instruction

The STEM Instructional Quartet, henceforth known as the Quartet for simplicity, is a framework that helps educators plan, develop, and assess their activities. This common framework provides structure to STEM education and will improve professional conversations.

The STEM Quartet that is problem-centric is anchored in a complex, persistent and extended problem explored through a convergent and divergent inquiry process involving: 1) Identify the problem, 2) Understand the problem, 3) Formulate a solution, 4) Implement the solution, 5) Review the solution, and 6) Identify a new problem.

Teachers of lead disciplines will outline the learning outcomes of that particular discipline, otherwise known as vertical learning. They will also draft and map out horizontal connections between these disciplines. The line thicknesses in the diagram indicate how strongly each discipline relates to another.

Since the inception of the problem-centric STEM Quartet, the solution-centric and user-centric STEM Quartets have emerged to focus on solution-refining and developing of humanistic learning outcomes. You can read more about the three centricities of the STEM Quartet in this paper (click here).

The diagram on the left summarises the Quartet. Read more about the theoretical background of the Quartet (click here).