ฉันรักแปลWe seek to understand how pre-service and novice teachers view the importance of STEM
education in the elementary grades. A sample of prospective and early career elementary teachers
was surveyed using an anonymous online questionnaire. The questionnaire asked for demographic
information and this prompt: “Is STEM education important at the elementary level? Why or why
not?” A constant comparative approach was used to analyze responses to provide insights about
respondents’ beliefs. We found that all participants responded that yes, STEM education was
important at the elementary years, but that several themes emerged when considering reasons
given, and that the types of responses given varied in terms of subject and complexity when
comparing responses by respondents’ second major. These findings paint an initial picture of what
future elementary STEM instruction might look like, insofar as teachers’ beliefs can influence
instructional choices. Additionally, these findings may have implications for teacher educators and
for pre- and in-service teacher education.
Key words: pre-service elementary teachers, STEM, Teacher preparation