Abstract:

STEM education, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is an educational approach that emphasizes the importance of these fields in modern society. It has been proven that STEM education promotes the development of personal competencies, including critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and innovation. These competencies are essential in today's workforce, which requires individuals to be adaptable and flexible in an ever-changing world. STEM education provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in these fields, but it also fosters the development of soft skills, such as communication and teamwork. This article highlights the importance of STEM education in developing personal competencies and how it prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the future. It also provides examples of successful STEM education programs and initiatives that promote the development of personal competencies in learners. There are various evidence-based psychological measurements that are used to assess the impact of STEM education on students. One of the most used measurements is the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Career Interest Survey. This survey is designed to measure students' interest and attitudes towards STEM fields and careers. It assesses students' knowledge and confidence in these areas, as well as their motivation to pursue STEM fields. Another widely used psychological measurement is the STEM Self-Efficacy Scale. This scale measures students' confidence in their ability to succeed in STEM-related tasks and activities. It assesses their perceived ability to solve problems, design experiments, and use technology to solve real-world problems. There are also assessments that measure the impact of STEM education on students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. For example, the Critical Thinking Assessment Test (CAT) measures students' ability to evaluate evidence, analyze arguments, and make logical inferences. The Teamwork Skills Inventory (TSI) measures students' ability to work effectively in a team, communicate clearly, and manage conflict. Overall, these psychological measurements are important tools for assessing the effectiveness of STEM education programs in developing the competencies that are necessary for success in STEM fields and beyond. By gathering data on students' attitudes, knowledge, and skills, educators and researchers can identify areas for improvement and design interventions that will promote greater success in STEM education.
The paper observers wide used methods with the main aim to produce appropriate evidence which will be the basis for producing multidimensional tool and interdisciplinary metrics to measure students’ personal competencies and performance.

Keywords:

STEM education, personal competencies, soft skills, assessment, STEM efficacy.