Utilization of government grants for funding: insights into STEM education teachers in Taiwan

Over the past three years, Taiwan’s Ministry of Education has established 1300 classrooms for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education nationwide, providing unprecedented budgetary support for the procurement of STEM equipment in junior high schools. This study examines how STEM teachers utilize government grants for equipment procurement and classroom setup, with a particular focus on the key factors that influence their decision-making processes. This study employs descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and multiple-choice analysis of data obtained through surveys of 75 science and technology teachers and expert opinions. The results reveal that teachers have adopted a cautious approach emphasizing simplicity and safey, prioritizing convenience, practicality, and versatility in terms of equipment choices. The logistic regression results indicated a significant correlation between perceived importance and purchasing decisions (ratio = 3.654, explained variance = 23.7%). Multiple-choice analysis found a skewed emphasis on curriculum indicators. The study develops a benchmark table for facilities and equipment, offering insights into resource optimization, educational equality, interdisciplinary integration, and teacher training. Acknowledging the limitations, including sample size constraints and potential biases, the findings serve as a valuable reference for educators and encourage budget adjustments aligned with curriculum guidelines.