Enhancing STEM education through problem-based learning: insights from teacher practice

Kathy Smith; Jennifer Mansfield; Amanda  Berry; Deborah Corrigan

Abstract

Developing teacher proficiency and confidence in STEM education is essential for fostering STEM literacies in students—the ability to recognize, apply, and integrate concepts and skills across STEM disciplines to solve real-world problems and innovate. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) plays a pivotal role in this process by positioning students as active learners and encouraging self-directed, collaborative, and independent problem-solvers. This presentation reports on the final stages of a four-year project which explored problem based learning in STEM education. The project examines how PBL enhances STEM education by positioning teachers as researchers who reflect on and refine their teaching practices as they translate four key principles of PBL in STEM education in their school settings. The session will explore how these principles prompted teachers to rethink the learning environments they create to foster students’ STEM literacies. The challenges teachers encountered will also be discussed, offering a deeper understanding of the critical factors needed for the effective implementation of PBL in STEM education across diverse education contexts.

Original language	English
Pages	685
Number of pages	1
Publication status	Published - 25 Aug 2025
Event	Conference of the European Science Education Research Association 2025: Transitions in Science Education: Sustainability and Digital Advances - Øksnehallen, Copenhagen, Denmark Duration: 25 Aug 2025 → 29 Aug 2025 Conference number: 16th https://esera2025.org/

Conference

Conference	Conference of the European Science Education Research Association 2025
Abbreviated title	ESERA 2025
Country/Territory	Denmark
City	Copenhagen
Period	25/08/25 → 29/08/25
Internet address	https://esera2025.org/

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education

Keywords

STEM education
Problem-based learning
Teacher professional learning

Access to Document

https://abstracts.esera2025.org/

Exploring Problem Based Learning in schools
Smith, K. V. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Berry, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Mansfield, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Corrigan, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Waldon, S. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Maynard, N. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Ellerton, P. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Ashleigh, D. (Partner Investigator (PI))
12/11/20 → 31/12/25
Project: Research

Cite this

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abstract = "Developing teacher proficiency and confidence in STEM education is essential for fostering STEM literacies in students—the ability to recognize, apply, and integrate concepts and skills across STEM disciplines to solve real-world problems and innovate. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) plays a pivotal role in this process by positioning students as active learners and encouraging self-directed, collaborative, and independent problem-solvers. This presentation reports on the final stages of a four-year project which explored problem based learning in STEM education. The project examines how PBL enhances STEM education by positioning teachers as researchers who reflect on and refine their teaching practices as they translate four key principles of PBL in STEM education in their school settings. The session will explore how these principles prompted teachers to rethink the learning environments they create to foster students{\textquoteright} STEM literacies. The challenges teachers encountered will also be discussed, offering a deeper understanding of the critical factors needed for the effective implementation of PBL in STEM education across diverse education contexts.",

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AU - Berry, Amanda

AU - Corrigan, Deborah

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PY - 2025/8/25

Y1 - 2025/8/25

N2 - Developing teacher proficiency and confidence in STEM education is essential for fostering STEM literacies in students—the ability to recognize, apply, and integrate concepts and skills across STEM disciplines to solve real-world problems and innovate. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) plays a pivotal role in this process by positioning students as active learners and encouraging self-directed, collaborative, and independent problem-solvers. This presentation reports on the final stages of a four-year project which explored problem based learning in STEM education. The project examines how PBL enhances STEM education by positioning teachers as researchers who reflect on and refine their teaching practices as they translate four key principles of PBL in STEM education in their school settings. The session will explore how these principles prompted teachers to rethink the learning environments they create to foster students’ STEM literacies. The challenges teachers encountered will also be discussed, offering a deeper understanding of the critical factors needed for the effective implementation of PBL in STEM education across diverse education contexts.

AB - Developing teacher proficiency and confidence in STEM education is essential for fostering STEM literacies in students—the ability to recognize, apply, and integrate concepts and skills across STEM disciplines to solve real-world problems and innovate. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) plays a pivotal role in this process by positioning students as active learners and encouraging self-directed, collaborative, and independent problem-solvers. This presentation reports on the final stages of a four-year project which explored problem based learning in STEM education. The project examines how PBL enhances STEM education by positioning teachers as researchers who reflect on and refine their teaching practices as they translate four key principles of PBL in STEM education in their school settings. The session will explore how these principles prompted teachers to rethink the learning environments they create to foster students’ STEM literacies. The challenges teachers encountered will also be discussed, offering a deeper understanding of the critical factors needed for the effective implementation of PBL in STEM education across diverse education contexts.

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