Connecting STEM with Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum in Elementary Education
Abstract: Many STEM programs and initiatives continue to focus on middle and high school levels and often overlook the potential for STEM education at the elementary level The benefits of exposing students to STEM concepts at an early stage have been well documented (Bagiati, Yoon, Evangelou, & Ngambeki, 2010; Bybee, & Fuchs, 2006) Research studies have found that engineering and Math concepts along with advanced science concepts can be successfully incorporated in the elementary education curriculum to help increase interest in STEM career fields (Katehi, Pearson, & Feder, 2009), and develop important skills such as critical thinking Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has become a vitally important aspect of education in early childhood and has major implications on students success throughout their education Studies have shown that schools that place an emphasis on students social emotional development saw an increase in academic success, improved quality of relationships between teachers and students, and a decrease in problem behavior (Durlak, Weissberg, Dymnicki, Taylor, & Schellinger, 2011) The purpose of this research study is to investigate how STEM based curriculum integrated with a Social Emotional Learning framework can enhance learning and overall student development Results and future directions will be discussed
Presider: Haya Shamir, Waterford Institute