Engineering & STEM: complementary areas of study

Many K-12 educators approach STEM disciplines as if each one (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)exist in isolation from each other integrate the content and skills of the disciplines that can engage students on many levels.STEM education is meant to be an interdisciplinary area of study that integrates the four disciplines rather than achievingskills and knowledge independently in each subject area. This paper examines the several attempts to define STEM anddiscusses the basics and issues related to the implementation of STEM programs and how engineering is a suitable vehiclefor development and implementation of STEM programs, whether the focus of the course is science, technology,engineering, or mathematics. The value of the Next Generation Science Standards in this endeavor will be detailed. Inaddition, the paper will examine the relevance of STEM Career Technical Education (CTE) programs.