Abstract:

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning that aims to break down barriers between science, technology, engineering and mathematics' disciplines and integrates all curricular areas into its activities, connecting them to the real world through rigorous and relevant experiences for learners. The paper addresses STEM education extended to life skills by acculturating artificial intelligence (AI) to help students become solution seekers and problem solvers by developing critical thinking and creativity. The STEM integrated approach whose instructional design is based on AI generated learning aids and experiential learning methods is challenging for both teachers and students, influencing motivation and learning outcomes. STEM education, from the competences’ perspective, stimulates the inclusion of STEM disciplines and approaches in the curriculum to educate future generations in a modern, inclusive and sustainable educational environment. This paper explores how artificial intelligence embedded in STEM education provides innovative pedagogical solutions and encourages differentiated teaching and personalized learning to form and to develop sustainable competences. STEM activities can provide students with in-depth learning experiences through real world problems, creative solutions, design-based learning and inquiry type questions promoting the harmonious blending of the content oriented approach, through the use of AI that focus on teaching materials, with the practice oriented approach, through open educational practices that encourage collaboration between students and teachers as practitioners for knowledge’s creation and exchange. The teacher has an active role in encouraging students to overcome barriers to learning and in designing a learning trajectory that targets the competences' formation and development.

Keywords:

STEM education, artificial intelligence, teachers, students, learning motivation.