Fostering STEM Learning with Educational Technologies in the Upper Secondary School: A Design Based Research Study

The comprehension of scientific concepts is a key aspect needed to be active citizens able to engage critical scientific discussions and to make informed decisions regarding scientific questions that may arise from everyday life. To reach such a type of scientific literacy, the role of formal education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) learning is of particular importance, since it represents the first context in which students can systemize scientific knowledge. However, the Italian context shows a low level of scientific competence and knowledge in students at the upper secondary schools, with a further difference in terms of gender in mathematics and science performance, with better results for males than females. In this context, the main objective of my PhD project is to improve STEM education in the upper secondary school through an approach including the students-centred teaching strategies supported by digital technologies, thus fostering a major comprehension and learning of scientific concepts and sustaining students' motivation and interest.