STEM Investigations: Integrating Interdisciplinary Learning to Solve Real-World Problems

Abstract STEM Investigations is a newly developed subject for grammar school students (aged 17–18) in Slovakia designed for a specialized computer science-focused curriculum. It aims to address real-world problems through interdisciplinary, problem- and project-oriented learning that incorporates inquiry as a pedagogical principle. Building on knowledge from mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, and computer science, students engage in activities that integrate scientific methods with digital technologies and data analysis. The STEM Investigations subject is structured to progress along a continuum from structured and guided inquiry in the early phases to open inquiry in the final project, enabling students to develop autonomy in formulating questions, designing experiments, and interpreting results. It emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity while fostering a deeper conceptual understanding through modelling and empirical investigation. This paper presents two proposed activities—Diving Safety and Designing a Smart Classroom with a Healthy Environment—as examples of how interdisciplinary inquiry connects scientific concepts with authentic, everyday contexts, particularly from the perspective of physics.