Future-proofing STEAME education in South Africa

Abstract

This book aims to contribute to the discourse of finding innovative solutions to the myriad of challenges facing science education in South Africa. The book positions itself in the multi-disciplinary focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Entrepreneurship (STEAME) education, rather than the traditional narrow focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The chapters in the book explore the challenges and opportunities facing STEAME education in a complex 21st century and at the advent of a society with a strong artificial intelligence component in its DNA. The leitmotif of the book is how engaging pedagogies could be utilised in the classroom to enhance self-directed learning – a sine qua non to future-proof South Africa’s science and technological advancement. This is a book written by scholars for scholars. Its target audience includes academics and researchers in the field of science education and scholars engaged with innovative teaching pedagogies, particularly approaches that would enhance the achievement of learners in disadvantaged contexts. The chapters in the book, although eclectic in approach, all contribute to the central theme of the book. Most of the chapters lean on textual analyses, literature reviews or concept papers which disclose new ideas before full validation.