Hyewon Jang
Identifying 21st Century STEM Competencies Using Workplace Data
Harvard University
gaps science technology engineering mathematics stem education required workplace skills identified industry academia government educators acknowledge need reform stem education better prepare students future careers pursue growing interest skills needed stem disciplines ask whether frameworks 21st century skills engineering education cover important stem competencies study identify important stem competencies evaluate relevance current frameworks applied education using standardized jobspecific database operated maintained us department labor analysis importance 109 skills types knowledge work activities revealed 18 skills seven categories knowledge 27 work activities important stem workers investigate perspectives stem nonstem job incumbents comparing importance skill knowledge work activity two groups aimed condense dimensions 52 key areas categorizing according katz kahn 1978 framework testing interrater reliability findings show frameworks 21st century skills engineering education encompass important stem competencies implications stem education programs discussed including bridge gaps education important workplace competencies