STEM fever: Science educators’ opportunities and challenges

Since 2016, STEM education has become a hot topic in China. Remarkable progress has been made in regard to theoretical research, educational practice, and education policies. However, China’s STEM education also faces huge challenges. In order to better understand the current status, research trends, and future development of Chinese STEM education, this study used content analysis method to compare 197 Chinese and 380 English papers of STEM education from 2008 to 2017. The study discovered t differences of STEM education worldwide in terms of research object, curriculum practices, technology application, evaluation mechanism and teacher professional development. At the end, the paper provides suggestions for China’s and other countries’ STEM education in the future: incorporate STEM education into the national strategy, implement smooth STEM talent development programs, grasp core features of STEM education, pay attention to teacher professional development, and establish STEM education evaluation mechanisms.