STEM approach for achieving sustainable development goals: A policy proposal for Turkish education system

Once STEM education is considered from an international angle, it is observed that countries differ in terms of several titles and headings found in their STEM policy documents although there exists an apparent consensus regarding its significance. In this sense, this study aims to offer policy recommendations that could contribute to the attaintment of Quality Education, the 4th goal of the Sustainable Development Goals, through STEM approach. The STEM policy documents of the depicted six countries were analysed in the first step of the study. The second step included semi-structured interviews with 22 participants who played a role with certain responsibilities in STEM education in Turkey. The data was analyzed with content analysis and it was found also through the interviews conducted within the context of Turkey that education and policy themes were common in STEM policies of the selected countries. With that being said, sustainability theme seems to be peculiar to Turkey. It is clear that Turkey needs a national policy, especially towards the STEM approach, which is regarded as key to attain economic prosperity. In this regard, this study displayed the necessity of implementing the following recommendations: Enhancing teacher efficiency, integrating STEM approach into the curricula, establishing the physical infrastructure, acting in an inclusive fashion towards the stakeholders in their participation in the relevant processes, fostering student motivation in pursuing a career in STEM, increasing access to STEM education in particular of girls, ensuring a comprehensive policy and disseminating the goals and accomplishments of STEM.