The Development of STEM Education in the Sultanate of Oman

STEM Education Approaches and Challenges in the MENA Region

Introcution

In recent years the Oman Ministry of Education has begun to play a significant role in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in school and higher education settings. Using a retrospective approach to the earlier and current practices of STEM education in Oman, this chapter gives an overview of the initiatives related to STEM education by both the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, and by the Ministry of Education. This overview includes the impact of STEM programs, significant improvements in delivery, and plans for the future. The chapter also outlines the research efforts underway in Oman regarding STEM and describes a nationally-funded strategic project by His Majesty Trust Fund Strategic Grants to enhance teachers' capabilities in STEM-based competencies and students' interest in STEM-related specialties. The chapter sheds light on the different scholarship opportunities offered by on the Oman Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation for students to pursue further education in specific disciplines of study in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Oman and abroad. The chapter also clarifies the stages of implementing the STEM Oman program in schools and illustrates this through the use of an example. Additionally, the chapter includes a detailed description of training programs designed to prepare science teachers for the STEM Oman program. Next, we discuss the future development and plans for STEM Oman, which includes a nationally funded project by His Majesty Trust Fund Strategic Grants to enhance teachers' capabilities in STEM-based competencies and increase students' interest in and engagement with STEM-related specialties. The authors of this chapter are the PI and Co-PI of this strategic project, which aims to positively impact Oman by improving STEM teaching and developing a sustainable and successful STEM program for school students in the future. Different studies have tackled the topic of STEM education. The chapter concludes by summarizing and critically analyzing research efforts into STEM in education in Oman, the engineering design approach to STEM and on the implementation of the STEM Oman program.