MODEL OF A REGIONAL STEM CENTER’S NETWORK AS A BASIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STEM-ORIENTED EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The article substantiates a model of a regional network of STEM centers for the formation of a STEM-oriented educational environment in the Mykolaiv region. It addresses the pressing issue of STEM education development amidst contemporary challenges, particularly in the context of restoring and modernizing Ukraine's educational system. The authors analyze the current state of STEM education in Ukraine, challenges in its implementation, and draw upon the experiences of other countries. The study involves an analysis of scientific publications, methodological recommendations for implementing STEM education in secondary and extracurricular educational institutions, and the results of a survey conducted among 158 natural sciences and mathematics teachers in the Mykolaiv region. Key obstacles to implementing STEM education were identified including the lack of modern equipment, specialized laboratories, methodological materials, and insufficient teacher training. The authors define the key components of STEM centers: regulatory, spatial-material, scientific-methodological, organizational, research, and result-oriented. Each component is characterized by specific content and functions. The authors propose a three-tiered structure for the regional STEM network, which includes a regional STEM center, district STEM centers, and school-based STEM laboratories. The proposed solution is based on the creation of a flexible system of collaboration between educational institutions and organizations, decentralization of STEM education management, efficient resource utilization, horizontal and vertical communication among participants in the educational process. The proposed model aims to foster the development of students' research competencies, enhance the quality of science and mathematics education, and contribute to the innovative development of the region.