Table 1 Sample STEM and STEAM education frameworks

A Framework for Model STEM Units

(Bybee, 2010)

A framework that centers around the context of problems that need STEM to solve them. STEM competencies are the learning outcomes

A STEM Literacy Development Framework for STEM Education

(Falloon et al., 2020)

A framework that maps connections across different characteristics of K-12 STEM education, to highlight different approaches to STEM curriculum planning and teaching

STEM Integration in K-12 Education: Status, Prospects, and Agenda for Research

(Honey et al., 2014)

Integrated STEM education framework organized into four components: Goals, Outcomes, Nature and Scope of Integration, and Implementation

Situated STEM Learning

(Kelley & Knowles, 2016)

Integrated STEM education framework organized as a pulley system, with the pulley connecting common practices across disciplines, and a rope representing a community of practice

A Framework for Reforming Preparation of STEM Teachers

(Lee & Nason, 2012)

A framework focused on reforming the preparation of STEM teachers organized by three principles and eight strategies

ITEST STEM Workforce Education Helix

(Reider et al., 2016)

A framework organized as a helix to illustrate the relationship between STEM content development activities, STEM career development activities, teacher professional development, partnerships, and cultural context

The STEM Quartet Instructional Framework

(Tan et al., 2019)

A framework showing the level of connection among the STEM disciplines, with six steps (i.e., identify problem, understand problem, formulate solution, implement solution, review solution, new problem) around the circumference of the visual

Relationship Between the Engineering Design Process and Science, Technology, and Mathematics

(Yata et al., 2020)

A framework that serves to promote interdisciplinary STEM education recognizing the uniqueness and similarities of each STEM discipline, considering how each science, technology, and mathematics are needed in engineering

Interdisciplinary Approach to STEAM Education for Students with Disabilities

(Hwang & Taylor, 2016)

A framework focused on a real-world context/authentic problem, the integration of the STEAM disciplines, and generalizability

Equitable STEAM Education

(Bush & Cook, 2019)

A framework that describes the key ingredients for equitable STEAM education as: providing access to each and every student, implementing reform practices in mathematics and science teaching, and exploring meaningful and authentic problems through STEAM.

STEAM: A Framework for Teaching Across the Disciplines

(Yakman, 2011)

A framework organized as a pyramid with content specific at the base, then discipline specific, multidisciplinary, integrative, and then life-long holistic at the top of the pyramid

STEAM Teaching Model

(Quigley et al., 2017)

A framework organized by two domains (i.e., instructional content and learning context) and six dimensions (i.e., problem-based delivery, discipline integration, problem-solving skills, instructional approaches, assessment practices, and equitable participation)