Identifying the elements of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) curriculum in the primary education of Iran: a synthesis-research approach

The aim of the current research was to identify the elements of the STEM curriculum at the primary school level. Data were collected based on a qualitative research of the synthesis type, using the seven steps of Newman and Gough (2020). The research population included all the valid scientific articles related to the topic in the period between 2001-2023, which have been registered in the specialized and scientific databases inside and outside the country. After several stages of screening and using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) criteria, 40 sources were purposefully selected, coded and analyzed, and the elements of the STEM curriculum were analyzed based on Aker's spider web model. The results showed that the logic of the STEM approach is learner-oriented and in line with the theory of constructivism, which seeks to create a holistic view in the student in order to understand the relationship between the four fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The aim of this approach is to acquire the skills of the 21st century, to train students who can overcome the real problems of the current world with thinking and problem solving skills and also to provide effective solutions. The implementation of this method requires a change in the teachers' attitudes from traditional to modern approaches and training and preparation of teachers, which makes possible the step-by-step and gradual implementation of this approach, even in the current structure. Finally, after introducing the elements of such a curriculum, suggestions were made for its implementation at the primary education level.