What is the meaning of STEM?
STEM is a curriculum based on the philosophy of educating students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an interdisciplinary and applicable approach. Rather than teaching these four subjects as separate and different topics, STEM integrates them into a comprehensive learning experience based on real-world applications.
What separates STEM from traditional science and math education is a mix of teaching and showing students how scientific methods can be applied to everyday life. It aims to teach students computational thinking and concentrates on real-world applications through problem-solving.
S(cience) – T(echnology) – E(ngineering) – M(ath)
What is the International STEM Olympiad?
The International STEM Olympiad is an international online competition platform in which students from grades 1 to 12 compete, and the questions are prepared in line with the philosophy of STEM education.
The International STEM Olympiad is an Olympiad for students who are interested in STEM but have difficulty in accessing materials and STEM-based questions. Students will not only reach STEM-based topics and questions but will also experience the excitement of competing and receiving awards on an international platform.
Additionally, the International STEM Olympiad provides students with interactive training portals as a learning resource. Students will be able to see how technology, as well as traditional teaching methods, contribute to their learning.
Organization
Main Team Organisation GmbH
The International STEM Olympiad is organized by MAIN TEAM ORGANISATION GmbH, a private company founded in 2012, which organizes educational organizations and programs for students and educators in different countries of Europe.
You can visit www.main-team.org for more information on other international training programs.
Resources for the International STEM Olympiad 2022 Exams
PhET Interactive Simulations
University of Colorado Boulder
Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.
PhET is creating research-based, accessible STEM education resources to ensure that all students can experience the benefits of PhET Interactive Simulations.
Codementum
Codementum is a platform established with the basic goal to teach coding to children.
The Codementum basically provides e-learning opportunities aiming to form a basis for advanced computer skills required at the primary and secondary education level, by improving the algorithmic/computational thinking skills of the students.
Codementum is a game-based online e-learning platform with completed Research-Development activities (age-based learning level etc.) which are used in private and public schools to teach an algorithm and the actual coding language. It has a certain curriculum and student-teacher interaction opportunities.
Media Sponsor
STEM | ED Magazine
STEM | ED Magazine a passionate community of STEM educators who are keen to share their stories and evidence-based practice with teachers around the world.
STEM | ED Magazine is a bi-monthly publication that aims to support and inspire as many educators as possible to enhance STEM learning.
Aim / Vision
The foundation of the contest and questions is built on STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math). The main goal of the organization is to change the students’ perspective on life with types of questions which show that the subjects and formulas that students have learned in science lessons can appear in real life.
It is expected that students’ perspective on life can change thanks to the questions stemming from daily life and it aims to get rid of the question “What use has this subject for me?” and better understand the value of the lessons taught in class.
The staggering education and the schools’ inability to participate in national or international activities during the pandemic have greatly reduced the motivation of the students for school and education. Even though it is online, students will be able to try and measure themselves on an international platform while giving the schools an opportunity to be able to participate in an international event.
Additionally, the International STEM Olympiad provides students with interactive training portals as a learning resource. Students will be able to see how technology, as well as traditional teaching methods, contribute to their learning.
As a result, students will be able to improve their skills using interactive simulations with the help of technology as well as traditional teaching methods.
It is among the goals of the organization to increase students’ interest in science and to raise awareness on this issue through the awards presented at the end of the Olympiad.
BEHAVIORAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS
- Participating in an international competition allows students to demonstrate their determination and gain self-confidence.
- Students create their own accounts on a digital platform, follow them, and thus have individual responsibility throughout the competition process.
- During the online exam, students learn how to use their computer skills carefully and correctly, as well as time management.
- Evaluating the achievements of students with a score of 50 % or higher with medals, certificates, and other valuable prizes will greatly benefit students’ motivation for the future.
- Students see technology as a tool for learning as well as entertainment.
EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
- Students compete with their peers and students in the same class from different countries and take the time to prepare for the category in which they will participate.
- In addition to traditional teaching methods, they observe and practice the explanation of some topics in various styles through the use of interactive simulations.
- Students learn about various educational curricula and discover new information in addition to traditional question models.
- Students will add a Certificate of Participation, a Certificate of Achievement, and medals to their success portfolio, which they will use to apply to universities for admission and scholarships in the future.
- Students will gain an understanding of how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are interconnected with one another under the name STEM and it will change their perspective on lessons.
- Participants in the computer category will receive this opportunity free of charge through the STEM Olympiad if they did not previously have access to a coding platform.
- The awards presented to students will inspire and motivate them to pursue careers in engineering and coding.
Concept
The concept of the International STEM Olympiad can be expressed as follows:
It is an international competition for primary, secondary and high school students.
Participation in the exam is online.
Schools can choose to announce the 1st or 2nd date for participation in the National Rounds to their students according to the schools’ own academic calendar.
The International final exam will take place in all countries at the same time on the same day.
The Olympiad questions are prepared according to the STEM Curriculum.
The fact that the questions are taken from daily life forms foundation of the concept and the main philosophy of the organization.
