Course Description

This program explores how research, evaluation and policy inform STEM education around the world, and how cultural settings shape teaching practice in Morocco and Spain. Through site visits to educational institutions, specialized workshops, seminars and direct engagement with local educational communities, students critically examine the diverse landscapes of STEM education.

The program uses an intensive three-part learning cycle for each theme. It starts with an expert presentation (a lecture, seminar or meeting with officials) that sets the theoretical, political or historical context. Next comes direct immersion, such as a school visit, a teacher workshop, or a mock lesson or policy analysis activity. Each cycle ends with reflection and comparative dialogue, where students analyze their experiences with peers and discuss pedagogy, policy and cultural differences in STEM education across Morocco, Spain and their home context.

The program connects to IES Abroad's "Equitable Living, Human Well-Being" pillar, specifically Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

 

Course Objectives

  • Critically analyze and compare how educational policies, curriculum standards and teacher preparation models influence STEM education in Morocco and Spain.
  • Evaluate the cultural and pedagogical nuances of STEM instruction in each country through site visits, lesson observations and expert-led seminars.
  • Develop a reflective, comparative perspective on professional development, instructional practice and teacher education systems to inform future classroom innovation.
  • Synthesize knowledge gained from immersion and professional dialogue to understand comparative STEM education from a global policy and practice perspective.

 

Course Topics

  • Educational policies and national STEM curricula
  • Teaching practices in public and private schools
  • Teacher education and professional development
  • Informal STEM education

 

Anticipated Stakeholder Engagement

  • IES Abroad Rabat Center
  • École Normale Supérieure (ENS) Rabat
  • Moroccan Parliament
  • Moroccan public school
  • National STEM policy lecture
  • eSTEM Morocco
  • Private school
  • University of Granada
  • Cultural program

 

Published