Trainee Teachers: Perceptions and Attitudes Toward STEAM Education, systematic literature review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15359/ree.29-2.18627

Keywords:

Attitudes, STEAM education, future teachers, perceptions, SDG 4, quality education, SDG 5, gender equality

Abstract

Introduction. Contemporary science teaching faces a disconnection from real-world contexts, leading to demotivation. Interdisciplinary approaches such as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) offer an alternative to promote contextualized learning. However, its implementation encounters challenges related to teacher preparation and disposition. Purpose. This paper aims to characterize scientific literature concerning trainee teachers’ attitudes and perceptions towards STEAM education. Analysis. The PRISMA model was applied to articles published between 2016 and 2021 on the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus. From 128 initial articles, 16 met the selection criteria: language (Spanish or English), focus on attitudes or perceptions towards STEAM, and empirical nature. Results. Quantitative studies predominate, highlighting the need for qualitative research. In-depth training is correlated with positive attitudes towards STEAM, whereas superficial training generates distrust. Conceptual ambiguity and contextual factors, including institutional support and infrastructure, constitute significant barriers. The emotional dimension has a decisive influence on the adoption of the approach. Conclusions. Initial teacher education requires substantial renewal that integrates STEAM as an articulating axis. A clearer understanding of the approach in teacher training, university curriculum updates, innovative training programs, and the development of multidimensional skills is needed. Effective implementation requires a progressive paradigm shift.

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Author Biographies

  • María del Rosario Heredia-Sacio, University of Bío-Bío

    Académica del Departamento de Ciencias de la Educación de la Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chile, Bióloga por la Universidad Nacional Agraria-La Molina (Perú), Profesora de Biología por la Universidad de Concepción, Bachiller en Ciencias, y Magister en Ciencias mención Oceanografía Biológica por la Universidad de Concepción. Su área de investigación y docencia es la Didáctica de las Ciencias.

  • Edith del Carmen Herrera-San Martín, University of Bío-Bío

    Académica del Departamento de Ciencias de la Educación de la universidad del Bío-Bío, Profesora de Estado en Biología y Ciencias Naturales por la Universidad de Chile, Magister Enseñanza de las Ciencias por la Universidad del Bío-Bío, Magister en Gestión Educativa de Calidad por la Universidad del Desarrollo, y Doctora en Educación en Didáctica de la Matemática y Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Su área de investigación y docencia son Didáctica de la biología, Formación inicial de profesores de Ciencias, y Competencia científica y cognitivas.

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Published

2025-06-10

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Journal Articles (Peer Reviewed Section)

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How to Cite

Heredia-Sacio, M. del R., & Herrera-San Martín, E. del C. . (2025). Trainee Teachers: Perceptions and Attitudes Toward STEAM Education, systematic literature review. Revista Electrónica Educare, 29(2), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.15359/ree.29-2.18627