Research On The Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics (STEM) Education In The United States K-12

Since 1980s, economic globalization has become an irresistible trend of history, and its international competition is becoming increasingly fierce. On the basis of the reflection on the decline of its international competitiveness, In order to keep the global leadership of national economy, America proposes Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education, that is STEM education. STEM education is a reflection of the concept of STEM. In America, STEM education has attracted great attention, which examines their students’ poor performance in mathematics and science, emphasizes the importance of technology and engineering education in school, underlines the integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects, and aims at promoting students’ comprehensive STEM literacy. American government attaches great importance to STEM education, and puts more attention and funding to STEM education, which makes it become the focus of current American reform on basic education. It has profound impacts on American international competitiveness. Innovation is valued by all countries in the world. Education, especially STEM education is an important way to promote innovation. Therefore, all countries are actively promoting the development of STEM education.This paper researches the acts and reports issued by Ameican government and other organizations by using literature research and text analysis, so as to know its history, background, discipline, condition of students and teachers, and educational legislation and policy, and then provides effective experiences for chinese STEM education. The development of STEM education in the United States has its education background, economic background and social background. Its history can be divided into three periods: period of origin and formation, period of development and advancement, and period of adjustment and reform. STEM curriculum framework in America is not uniform, and Massachusetts has issued its own "Massachusetts Curriculum Framework For Mathematics" and "Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework". American is doing curriculum integration by Linked Learning, Technology Integration Model for Education, and Projet-Based Learning. The number and quality of American STEM teachers both must be increased, and the teachers have less chances to be trained. Ameican government has taken actions to change, including investing more money and strenthen teachers’ training. This paper also analyses the 2015 president budget, acts and the report of American National Science Committee. Based on what have been researched in the paper, it proposes the enlightenment for STEM education. First, the government should provide obliged legislation and sufficient or ample funds. Then the government should strengthen the construction of teaching staff, and improve the quality and quantity of STEM teachers. Last but not least, high quality of STEM curriculum should be developped, and then integrated the curriculum.