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Although STEM is an essential feature of 21st-century education and learning, there is a lack of awareness about it in Pakistan, especially at the K-12 and tertiary levels. Recently many initiatives have been launched across Pakistan to create more interest in STEM education. In order to assist in raising the level of STEM awareness in Pakistan, this study sought to examine the current state of research and identify recent contributions and gaps in the literature. A systematic literature review was conducted using 22 research papers from five renowned databases. Results produced limited research in this area, with the majority being descriptive and only four being interventional studies. Regrettably, no research explored the engineering component of STEM education. Trends indicate that STEM education research has experienced a downward trend in Pakistan. The observed decline may have occurred due to a lack of understanding among Pakistani researchers regarding the importance of STEM education. Additionally, we identified the current gaps in research on STEM education and subsequently provided recommendations for future research.

Project/problem-based learning (PBL) can provide an effective model for school reform when implemented with fidelity. In the report, "Rising Above the Gathering Storm," it was recommended that if the U.S. is to remain competitive in the 21st-century economy, there must be a serious effort to "enlarge the pipeline of students who are prepared to enter college and graduate with a degree in STEM" (National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, & Institute of Medicine, 2007, p. 6). The report included the recommendation that states develop statewide specialty STEM high schools (National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, & Institute of Medicine, 2007, p. 6). In 2010, the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Academy (T-STEM) initiative was implemented to develop specialty STEM schools similar to those described in "Rising Above the Gathering Storm." The primary instructional strategy of T-STEM academies is problem- and project-based learning. In the STEM context, PBL is well suited as a primary pedagogy for STEM learning. This paper examines the following questions: What outcomes occur when PBL is implemented in a low performing school district? What is the role of PBL in school improvement? What are the challenges to implementing PBL with high fidelity?

Drawing on second language acquisition theories and existing visuals, this article proposes a new educational metaphor, Lane's L2+ Acquisition Rope, to encompass the complexities of second or additional language learning. This metaphor integrates five major strands—external factors, social factors, affective factors, innate factors, and internal factors—to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding proficient second language acquisition. Implications of this visual highlight the importance of incorporating socio-cultural, neurological, and affective dimensions into educational metaphors to support diverse learners effectively. Lane's L2+ Acquisition Rope offers a promising avenue for educators to enhance instructional practices and promote equitable learning outcomes for English Language Learners and other student subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem-based learning (PBL) and inquiry learning (IL) employ extensive scaffolding that results in cognitive load reduction and allows students to learn in complex domains. Hybrid teacher professional development models (PDM) using 21st century social collaboration tools embedding PBL and IL shows promise as a systemic approach for increasing teacher content knowledge of climate science and ubiquitous social media technology skills. This paper describes workshops designed to increase the climate pedagogical content knowledge (CPCK) of upper elementary and secondary teachers while providing initial and on-going scaffolding for successful implementation of PBL projects involving collaborative research on local, regional and global climate topics. Exemplars of participation by the K-12 students in the "citizen scientist" component of the "From Learning to Research" project (L2R) are described, including illustrations of recognition by local and global community members regarding students' contributions to reducing anthropomorphic impact on local ecosystems.

Cognitive sciences are discovering many things that educators have always intuitively known about language learning. However, the important point is actively using this new information to improve both students learning and current teaching practices. The implications of neuroscience for educational reform regarding second language (L2) learning can clearly be seen in the following categories: brain structures and the corpus callosum; neuronal development and the parts of the brain dedicated to language; the Brain Plasticity Theory and Language Mapping; memory and the Information Processing Model; and of course, developing and utilizing a brain-compatible language curriculum that is meaningfully integrated into the basic content areas covered in all grade levels PreK-12. This article describes a recent study designed to address relationships between the corpus callosum and bilingual capacity, and provides recommendations to language teachers regarding brain-based learning through content-based language teaching. (Contains 4 figures and 6 notes.)

Magnetic resonance imaging was used to produce midsagittal images of the corpus callosum of 19 right-handed adult male and female subjects. The preliminary findings of this study indicate that significant adaptation in the anterior midbody of the corpus callosum has occurred to accommodate multiple language capacity in bilingual individuals compared to monolingual individuals. The main interpretation of this finding is that the precentral gyrus is involved in bilingual faculty adaptation assuming a role consistent with the somatotopical input to areas dedicated to the mouth, and input to association tracts connecting the premotor and supplementary motor cortices. This paper discusses possible implications to neuroscientists, second language educators, and their students.

Discusses a content-integration program in which Spanish is introduced while mathematics and other subjects are reinforced, creating a winning combination for students, teachers, and preservice teachers alike. (Author/NB)

Investigated attitudinal changes of elementary students studying a second language and presents the development of an attitudinal assessment instrument, its reliability, and a summary of findings from initial administrations. Compared attitudinal differences between students involved in a regular foreign language in the elementary schools (FLES) program with students not provided with additive foreign language curriculum. (Author/VWL)

Describes the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program. GLOBE is a worldwide network of teachers and students representing over 6,500 schools in more than 75 countries. It is an excellent vehicle for learning a foreign language while exploring science, mathematics, social studies, and technology, providing a foundation for interdisciplinary and content-based study. (Author/VWL)