STEM Project-Based Learning: An Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Approach

by Robert M. Capraro (Editor), Scott W. Slough (Editor)

This second edition of Project-Based Learning (PBL) presents an original approach to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) centric PBL. We define PBL as an “ill-defined task with a well-defined outcome,” which is consistent with our engineering design philosophy and the accountability highlighted in a standards-based environment.

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2009

About the author

Robert M. Capraro, is Co-Director of the Aggie STEM Center and Professor Mathematics Education in the Department of Teaching Learning and Culture at Texas A&M University. Dr. Capraro's expertise is applied research in school settings, program evaluation, the teacher as change agent for STEM school improvement, and STEM student achievement. He recently received the best paper award from the International Conference on Engineering Education where he and two colleagues presented their work related to the Aggie STEM project. He is currently involved in research in four school districts and more than 20,000 students and 80 teachers. His editorial work includes Associate Editor of the American Educational Research Journal, School Science and Mathematics, and Middle Grades Research Journal and the Research Advisory Committee for the Association of Middle Level Education. He was selected as a minority scholar for 2007 by the Educational Testing Service and served as president of the Southwest Educational Research Association. He is the author or co-author of three books, several book chapters and more than 100 journal articles on mathematics education, quantitative research methods, and teacher education published in such venues as Journal of Mathematics Education, International Journal for Studies in Mathematics Education, Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, International Journal of University Teaching and Faculty Development, LEARNing Landscapes, Special Issue: Mind, Brain and Education, Journal of Mathematical Behavior, European Journal of Psychology of Education, The Journal of Mathematical Sciences and Mathematics Education, Urban Review, Journal of Urban Mathematics Education, Educational Researcher, Cognition and Instruction, Educational and Psychological Measurement.

Reviews

[Bill Huckeba]

Reflections
Chapter 1 & 2: interesting that Project based learning has it's roots as far back as the late 1800's and was firmly established in the pedagogy of the early 1900's. Criticisms were leveled at the concept as being unable to teach needed skills because it focused on the interest of the child rather than the needs of the child. (Hmmm I have thought maybe it would not be a realistic way to teach all the required TEKs of a class) The teaching method was blamed for the a Great Depression and the difficulty the USA had in pulling out if it.
Look forward to more about achieving a "Well Defined Outcome" starting with an "Ill Defined Task"