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STEM MODEL DEVELOPMENT NECESSITY IN GEORGIAN SCHOOLS
Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (GEORGIA)
About this paper:
Appears in: INTED2019 Proceedings
Publication year: 2019
Pages: 2792-2799
ISBN: 978-84-09-08619-1
ISSN: 2340-1079
doi: 10.21125/inted.2019.0749
Conference name: 13th International Technology, Education and Development Conference
Dates: 11-13 March, 2019
Location: Valencia, Spain
Abstract:
The current processes in the modern world are revealing the necessity of human capital formation. This issue solution could be based on a reasonable state policy, especially on education policy. The paper presents one of the important part of the educational reforms, particularly the necessity of STEM model development which is based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach.

The paper presents STEM implementation curriculum and methods used in Georgian schools. In spite of the fact that special training-modules were carried out within the Millennium Program for training STEM specialists and improving STEM subjects, as well as English language teaching and school management, Georgia is still experiencing lack of STEM specialists. We have studied the issue and suggest recommendations promoting students' awareness, as the STEM model proposed by us is designed to equip the learner with the knowledge and skills that will enable to accomplish rapid progress of humanity to use modern achievements for becoming an accomplished member of the society.

The study of natural sciences should increase the interest towards natural science disciplines, scientific research and innovations as well as raising awareness of the STEM fields and occupations. The goal of the subject should be to stimulate students' interest to pursue the course, not because they have to but by emphasizing in-school and out-of-school STEM learning opportunities. We consider that from a passive receiver of the knowledge, a learner should become an active learner using the acquired knowledge for achieving career success and as well as providing benefit for the society.

We carried research in several schools providing STEM based curriculum. The aim of our study is to define students’ interest, attitudes, and involvement in studying these specific disciplines. The paper presents the survey results.
Keywords:
Awareness, education policy, learning through experience, science, student, STEM model.