2017 Volume 41 Issue 2 Pages 150-160
This present study discusses STEM education and essential questions with respect to competencies emphasized in the Japanese curriculum, aiming to find out how the ideas of STEM can contribute. First, it recapitulated the competencies being discussed in the revision of the national curricula and competencies expected to be developed in STEM education. Then, by using the idea of the level of integration of thematic, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches, the study identified the competencies that can be fostered at each level as well as the roles of questions and teachers. Combining the findings and competencies emphasized in the Japanese curriculum, a framework of questions for cross-curricula activities to foster competencies, which can help students’ active learning, was developed.
