1st Edition

International Science and Technology Education Exploring Culture, Economy and Social Perceptions

    272 Pages
    by Routledge

    272 Pages 31 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is crucial for taking advantage of the prospects of new scientific discoveries initiating or promoting technological changes, and managing opportunities and risks associated with innovations. This book explores the emerging perspectives and methodologies of STEM education and its relationship to the cultural understanding of science and technology in an international context.

    The authors provide a unique perspective on the subject, presenting materials and experiences from non-European industrialized as well as industrializing countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Egypt, Brazil and the USA. The chapters offer a wide scope of interpretations and comparative reviews of STEM education by including narrative elements about cultural developments, considering the influence of culture and social perceptions on technological and social change, and applying innovative tools of qualitative social research.

    The book represents a comprehensive and multidisciplinary review of the current status and future challenges facing STEM education across the world, including issues such as globalization, interdependencies of norms and values, effects on equity and social justice as well as resilience. Overall the volume provides valuable insights for a broad and comprehensive international comparison of STEM philosophies, approaches and experiences.

    Introduction 

    Andreas Hohlt, Nicole C. Karafyllis, Ortwin Renn and Dorothea Taube 

    Part 1: STEM Education between Universalism and Cultural Relativism 

    1. Why 'Technology' is Not Universal: Philosophical Remarks on the Language and Culture Issue of STEM Education 

    Nicole C. Karafyllis 

    2. Universals in STEM Education 

    Interview with Heinz Duddeck (engineer) and Randolf Menzel (biologist) 

    Part 2: STEM Education Worldwide: Perspectives on Situations in Six Countries 

    3. The Shift in Public Perception of Science and Science Education in Post-war Japan 

    Takuji Okamoto 

    4. Gunpla Robot Toys and the Popularization of Robotics in Japan 

    Cosima Wagner 

    5. From National Mission to What? Shifts in the Implications of Science and Technology in Korea 

    Jung-Ok Ha 

    6. Challenges for STEM Education in India 

    Sundar Sarukkai 

    7. Corporate Social Responsibility Programmes for STEM Education: Cases from the Indian Technology Cluster City of Hyderabad 

    Nagalakshmi Chelluri and Avvari V. Mohan 

    8. Highlights of STEM Education in Egypt 

    Ghada K. Gholam and Nasser Mansour 

    9. Tertiary Education in the GCC countries (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia): How economy, Gender and Culture Affect the Field of STEM 

    Nicole C. Karafyllis 

    10. Science Culture in Brazilian Society 

    Simon Schwartzman 

    11. Policy Controversies in Science Education in Brazil: a Brief Overview 

    Elizabeth Balbachevsky and Edilene Cruz 

    12. Closing the Achievement Gap and Building the Pipeline through STEM Education: A U.S. Perspective 

    Yvonne M. Spicer 

    13. The NRC Framework and the Next Generation Science Standards: An Opportunity to Improve Science Education in the USA 

    Arthur Eisenkraft 

    Part 3: STEM Education from a Comparative Transnational Perspective 

    14. STEM Education From a Comparative Transnational Perspective: Results of a Group Delphi Process 

    Dorothea Taube, Ortwin Renn and Andreas Hohlt 

    15. Lessons learned: Towards Unity in Diversity 

    Andreas Hohlt, Ortwin Renn, Dorothea Taube and Nicole C. Karafyllis 

    16. Responding To Challenges Of Rapid Global Change By Strengthening Local STEM Education 

    Ilan Chabay

    Biography

    Ortwin Renn is Professor and Chair of Environmental Sociology and Technology Assessment at Stuttgart University, Germany, member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and was Spokesperson of the Interdisciplinary Research Group TECHcultures until December 2014.

    Nicole C. Karafyllis is Professor of Philosophy of Science and Technology at the Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany, and was Deputy Spokesperson of the Interdisciplinary Research Group TECHcultures at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities until December 2014.

    Andreas Hohlt was Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Research Group TECHcultures at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Germany until December 2014.

    Dorothea Taube was research associate for the Interdisciplinary Research Group TECHcultures at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Germany until December 2014.