Concept of STEM as a Method Supporting Inquiry-Based Learning in Lower Secondary Schools in Slovakia

Since 2008, the Slovak education system has undergone several reforms aimed at improving the quality of education for elementary school students, with the goals of achieving better scores in international PISA assessments and enhancing students' employability. The proposed education concepts were intended to create space for better preparation for future careers and to engage students more actively in their education. However, none of the reforms have yielded the desired results. Starting in the 2023/2024 school year, a new educational reform titled "Education for the 21st Century" is being tested in selected schools. This reform aims to develop students' ability to think in complex contexts and to teach them critical thinking skills. Teachers are expected to act as facilitators in education and to implement innovative teaching methods. The aim of this article is to highlight the potential of applying STEM as a concept that supports inquiry-based learning (IBL) at the lower secondary level of elementary schools in Slovakia (ISCED 2). Results from the pilot research presented in the article indicate that the biggest barrier to implementing STEM in elementary education is the lack of teachers' knowledge about this concept. It was demonstrated that the abitity to applicate the STEM concept in teaching is not related to the length of respondents' teaching experience. The findings from the pilot research serve as a basis for incorporating the topic of the STEM concept into the study plans of future teachers, as well as for the preparation of training courses and workshops for practicing teachers.