Leveraging Apprenticeship in Place-Based Education to Advance Integrated STEM Learning

Place-based education (PBE), which leverages local knowledge and community resources, is increasingly recognized as an effective approach to fostering STEM learning, especially in rural settings (Avery, 2013). Students from underrepresented rural populations could provide important contributions to the future STEM workforce if attracted to the disciplines during their K-12 education. Integrating real-world experiences with local industry expertise into the curriculum makes STEM more relevant and fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for future STEM careers. This research brief proposes a study on the positive effects of cognitive apprenticeship, grounded in rural PBE contexts, creating potential for increased efficacy for integrated STEM educational frameworks.