FOSTERING HIGH-QUALITY, ADEQUATE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) EDUCATION IN NIGERIAAS A SUSTAINABILITY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is
fundamental to Nigeria's technological advancement and economic growth.
However, the country faces significant challenges, including inadequate
infrastructure, outdated curricula, and a shortage of qualified educators. This study
explores how strengthening(STEM) education in Nigeria can serve as a driver of
sustainable development. Even so, little has been discovered about the different parts
of STEM education and how they work together. Based on Bronfenbrenner's theory
of ecological systems, researchers advocate for the application of an ecological
viewpoint to STEM education to address the difficulties in fostering equitable and
high-quality STEM education. This ecosystem of STEM education incorporates the
four subsystems that influence human growth of STEM literacy as well as the main
objective of preparing the next generation's STEM literacy for life and work in the
future. The components are described together with their functions in the micro-,
exo-, macro-, and chrono systems. To demonstrate how the components, interact
both inside and between subsystems, examples of STEM education practices in
Nigeria are explained and examined. Acomprehensive discussion of the possibilities
of applying the ecological perspective to offer diverse learners affordable and
excellent STEM learning opportunities