Students in STEM education face significant challenges that affect their progress and understanding. Key issues include entrenched misconceptions, contextual voids, the abstract nature of scientific principles and the key role of experimental work. Cognitive overload from vast information and complex reasoning requirements further complicates learning. Language barriers exacerbate these difficulties, making it harder to understand and express ideas, especially for non-native English speakers. Additionally, limited access to hands-on learning due to resource constraints hampers comprehension of key concepts and how science construct knowledge and worsens educational inequalities. Effective assessment methodologies are crucial for aligning evaluations with learning objectives, ensuring reliability, and fostering metacognitive growth. Furthermore, integrating social issues into science education is essential for promoting an inclusive environment and bridging science and society. Addressing disparities among diverse and disadvantaged students is essential for equitable access and participation in STEM fields. Considering all these issues, this paper explores STEM education multifaceted challenges and underscores the need for innovative approaches to create a diverse and inclusive STEM workforce, essential for driving future innovation and addressing global challenges.

Keywords: Science education, STEM education, cognitive overload, educational inequalities, inclusive environment.