Implementing high school mathematics and engineering competencies: The RDFZ integrated STEM research program and practice

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) research program in the High School Affiliated to Renmin University (RDFZ) of China in the context of domestic high school curriculum reform in China. After introducing the STEM related official polices and measures issued by the Ministry of Education, we introduce the idea, curriculum setting, assessments and implementation timeline of STEM Research Program in RDFZ. Then we take three cases in mathematics and engineering fields to demonstrate how to address students' mathematics and engineering competencies through our practice. The innovative idea is to construct an opening community to implement flexible talent cultivation including introducing the cutting-edge technology to students' research scope; joint industry-school cooperation enhancing real situation problem; intercultural peer cooperation both in students and teachers counterpart. Due to this meaningful practice, we have achieved inspiring results. We constructed novel integrated STEM curriculum models and cases such as couple-disciplinary, star-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary structure. We formed new-style teaching and learning relationship that is teacher-student collaborative scientific research. We encourage students to publish their scientific results and implement students' key competencies based on project based learning in real situation. This program also enriches students' academic interests and career exploration, bridging the gap between basic and higher education.