A Comparative Study Of Chinese And American Primary School Science Textbooks From The Perspective Of STEM Education

STEM education is the integration of science,technology,engineering,and mathematics.In recent years,STEM education has become a hot spot for the reform and development of science and technology education in primary and secondary schools in China.Under the view of STEM education,the comparative study of science textbooks in elementary schools in China and the United States can not only provide a reference for the compilation of science textbooks in elementary schools in China,but also provide a reference for the implementation of STEM education.This study selects the relevant content of the new "education version" primary school science textbooks used in China and the "science fusion" version of primary school science textbooks used in California public primary schools in the United States as the research object.First,the knowledge points of the two sets of textbooks are classified based on the STΣ@M model proposed by G.Yakman of Virginia University of Technology,and statistical analysis and comparison are made according to the knowledge point classification results of the two editions of textbooks;then from the column section design,content layout,In the three aspects of the presentation of knowledge points,the presentation of the textbooks of the two editions of the textbooks was compared and analyzed.Through this study,the following conclusions were drawn: 1.The "Science Fusion Edition" textbook has more STEM-related knowledge points,involves a wider range of knowledge points and are more difficult;2.The "Education Science Press" textbook scientific exploration activities account for a higher proportion,Emphasis on scientific inquiry,although the proportion of scientific inquiry activities in the "Science Fusion Edition" textbook is not high,but most of its scientific inquiry activities are designed for students ’independent participation,and they have higher requirements for students’ independent exploration capabilities;3.The "Education Science Press" textbook pays more attention to training students ’production ability,while the "Science Fusion version" textbook pays more attention to training students’ design ability;4."Education Science Press" textbook pays more attention to training students’ measurement and measurement ability,while "Science Fusion Edition" textbook pays more attention to training students Computing ability;5.The "Science Fusion Edition" textbook has independent columns designed for S,T,E,and M fields,as well as a column that comprehensively reflects the knowledge points of STEM fields.The "Education Science Press" textbook mainly contains inquiry activities.The relevant knowledge points in various fields of STEM are comprehensively reflected in the section.Based on the above research,the following enlightenment are proposed: 1.In order to better reflect the characteristics of STEM education,China can appropriately expand the scope of STEM-related knowledge points in the compilation of primary school science textbooks,increase the difficulty of knowledge points,and increase the level of knowledge points;.In the design of inquiry activities,appropriately increase the content of allowing students to independently design inquiry activities,to allow students to explore their own interests within a certain range,to enhance students’ interest in inquiry and independent exploration ability;3.In the design of the column section,Appropriately add a column section that better reflects the characteristics of STEM in various fields.4.In the teaching of teachers,teachers can refer to the relevant content of Science Fusion textbooks during the teaching process,appropriately expand the content of knowledge points,and attach importance to experimental exploration and the cultivation of students’ independent exploration ability.