ABSTRACT
In the interest of full disclosure, the author must admit that she have never taught math or science, to either gifted or typical students, at any grade level. Since the publication of A Nation at Risk almost 40 years ago, there has been increased pressure on schools to create a competitive and viable work force. Morrison described the key difference as being the integration of the content using a problem-solving design. Morrison additionally described attributes of STEM classrooms for grades 6–12, including combined classroom and lab spaces equipped with small hand tools, malleable materials and ventilation, computers with STEM software, easily moveable furniture, and electricity that is accessible from the ceiling and the floor. Twenty-first century skills include 12 areas that today’s students need for future career success: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, information literacy, media literacy, technology literacy, flexibility, leadership, initiative, productivity, and social skills.
