PREreview of Approaches to Stem Education Around the World, What We Can Learn from Them?

General Assessment

This article represents a comprehensive and inspiring exploration of STEM education across diverse global contexts. It provides readers with an extensive view of how different nations have interpreted, implemented, and evolved their educational strategies around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The work is highly valuable not only for educators and researchers, but also for policymakers seeking effective ways to integrate STEM into modern curricula.

What stands out is the thoughtful synthesis of historical background, current educational policy, and comparative global practice—all approached with clarity and care. The discussion on Greece is especially timely, serving as both a reflection and a call to action toward deeper integration of STEM education at the national level.

The article’s depth, structure, and dedication to educational advancement are highly commendable. It succeeds in highlighting both the diversity and shared vision behind STEM education efforts worldwide.

Key Strengths

• Comprehensive Global Scope The article showcases an impressive range of countries, offering examples from North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond. This wide lens enriches the reader’s understanding and offers valuable inspiration.

• Historical and Conceptual Clarity From the roots of STEM thinking in Ancient Greece to present-day practices, the work captures the intellectual evolution of interdisciplinary education.

• Detailed and Respectful Treatment of Each Nation Each country’s educational context is described thoughtfully, with an emphasis on goals, challenges, and actions taken. This respectful approach invites collaboration rather than comparison.

• Alignment with Global Educational Goals The integration of the Sustainable Development Goals, attention to inclusion, and the recognition of 21st-century skills demonstrate a forward-thinking perspective.

• Rich and Well-Documented References The article is supported by a strong foundation of literature and policy sources, giving it academic credibility and practical relevance.

Suggestions for Further Enhancement

These points are presented with the aim of helping the authors further refine and enhance the clarity and impact of their excellent work:

1. Thematic Summary Table Suggestion: Consider including a concise summary table that lists each country alongside key features of its STEM strategy (e.g., year of adoption, main focus, unique practices). Benefit: This will help readers quickly compare approaches and identify recurring trends or standout innovations.

2. Grouped Discussion by Strategy Type Suggestion: In the “STEM Education in Different Nations” section, countries could be grouped by common themes (e.g., curriculum-driven models, extracurricular initiatives, teacher-centered reforms). Benefit: This will help readers absorb patterns and understand the variety of pathways to STEM success.

3. Expanded Focus on STEAM Suggestion: Since the integration of arts into STEM (STEAM) is mentioned in several national cases, consider expanding slightly on this transition, its rationale, and early results where available. Benefit: This will add interdisciplinary richness and reflect growing interest in creativity-driven learning.

4. Visual Timeline of STEM Adoption Suggestion: A visual timeline marking when each country began integrating STEM or STEAM practices could be useful. Benefit: This would help readers visualize the global progression of STEM education over the past two decades.

5. Reflections on the Greek Experience Suggestion: The section on Greece is insightful. You might consider adding a short reflection on specific opportunities or next steps based on the international practices reviewed. Benefit: This connects the research back to practical planning and national context, reinforcing the article’s applied value.

6. Encouragement of Local Innovation Suggestion: Emphasize how national strategies can adapt global models creatively rather than replicate them. Benefit: This empowers educators and ministries to develop context-appropriate solutions while remaining globally aligned.

7. Minor Editorial Refinements Suggestion: A brief final review of sentence flow and transitions, especially between country cases, will further polish the article’s already strong structure. Benefit: This ensures maximum readability for both academic and policy-focused audiences.

Conclusions

1. The authors have produced a thorough, thoughtful, and well-organized overview of STEM education implementation around the world, connecting past, present, and future in a meaningful way.

2. The article provides not only knowledge but also motivation—for readers to examine their own national systems and seek ways to enrich education through interdisciplinary, skill-based approaches.

3. By documenting the experiences of multiple nations and offering a window into both successful models and ongoing challenges, this work stands as an important reference point in the global education discourse.

4. The section on Greece is particularly welcome, serving as both a mirror and a roadmap for future policy development. Its presence gives the article regional relevance and national importance.

5. With the few enhancements suggested above, the article has the potential to serve as a benchmark in international STEM education research. Its publication is not only recommended—it is encouraged as a valuable contribution to education for the 21st century.

Competing interests

The author declares that they have no competing interests.