ABSTRACT
STEM classes have become a big focus in education in recent years. The shortage of employees in STEM fields may have little to do with the fields themselves, but may have more to do with how the subjects have been taught. The analysis supports theory claiming that calls to increase the number of students receiving STEM degrees could be answered, at least in part, by abandoning traditional lecturing in favor of active learning. One way to make STEM classes more realistic is to incorporate project-based learning (PBL), which is a teaching method where students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. This type of learning reflects real world application. Educational expert Rae Pica believes that STEM classes need to be more active and connected to the real world for students to truly appreciate them.
