Reframing STEM Education through Ontological and Epistemological Perspectives of Science

Ontological-epistemological convergence plays a significant role in learning science. Therefore, the relationship between ontological and epistemological stances in science was examined to understand the context for integrating STEM education in science learning. A systematic review of the literature was carried out using the PRISMA method. Articles were scrutinised following the inclusion and exclusion criteria and finally, 51 articles were retained. The overall inter coder agreement reached was ICA =88% well above the minimum threshold of 70%. A common agreement resulted in developing a theme/category. The findings revealed that STEM education emphasises epistemic cognition, ontological framing of real-world issues, and the integration of different STEM disciplines. Teacher educators should be equipped to understand how knowledge is validated in science and how designing in engineering and mathematical modelling enable them to guide transdisciplinary inquiry without ignoring STEM discipline.