Premnadh M. Kurup|Xia Li|Greg Powell|Michael E. Brown
Building future primary teachers' capacity in STEM: based on a platform of beliefs, understandings and intentions
La Trobe University|La Trobe University|La Trobe University|La Trobe University
stem education needs begin primary schools aim prepare young people active participation future produce generation interested skilled stem key foci within schools may best occur teams teachers working together integrated approach based crosscurricular teaching learning teachers play key role stem education important attract high achievers relevant backgrounds teaching research study focused beliefs understandings intentions preservice primary teachers teach stem beliefs understandings intentions form platform preservice teachers build capacity teach stem subjects primary schools data n 119 collected designed questionnaire analysed qualitatively quantitatively interpretive practice used formulating categories based responses regarding beliefs understandings intentions ideal scenarios future practices grounded theory approach formulating scenarios based data analysis qualitative data coded categories based responses structural equation modelling sem logical regression conducted find relationships preservice teachers platform capacity building connecting required classrooms future logistic regressions used explore association questionnaire items open responses related platform future capacity building based results evident platform developed teaching stem based experience teaching degree limited however positive intentions take stem seeing positive initiative schools limited confidence teach stem however suggesting provided opportunities teach stem overall findings indicate preservice teachers strong understanding however strong beliefs intentions teach stem future career results study indicate capacity built provides explicit views teach stem primary schools informs need future teaching stem essential formulate course work professional development stem capable integrating disciplines providing understanding pedagogical approaches connecting reallife relevance twentyfirst century competencies