ABSTRACT
This chapter lays out a cohesive theoretical framework for the case studies included in the volume. It describes the study methodology in service of developing the STEM literacies framework. It explains what we mean by STEM literacies: a) identifying, organizing, and integrating information; b) creating and traversing representations; c) communicating with others for help and feedback during making; d) communicating with others on the web and in person to describe process or present a finished project; e) documenting one’s work and progress. There is a brief discussion of the overall approach of the studies and our guiding research questions. It then goes on to briefly sketch each of the spaces in our study, their predominate literacy practices, and their underlying similarities.
