A fusing of theories, methods and expertise across disciplinary boundaries in which each discipline merges with the others in the formation of a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. New disciplines may emerge as in the case of the “New Biology” which is the result of collaborative efforts on behalf of traditional biology, physical and chemical sciences, computational science, mathematics, and engineering. Transdisciplinarity may also include perspectives and methods from such disciplines as social science, economics, and public administration as well as from civil society and a wide range of stakeholders.
Published in Chapter:
The Application of Transdisciplinary Theory and Practice to STEM Education
Susan Malone Back (Texas Tech University, USA), Heather Greenhalgh-Spencer (Texas Tech University, USA), and Kellilynn M. Frias (Texas Tech University, USA)
Copyright: © 2016
|Pages: 26
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-9441-5.ch003
Abstract
The authors describe the application of transdisciplinary theory and practice to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education at the undergraduate level. The modular approach which makes use of student collaboration within and across disciplines and input from outside experts holds promise for preparing students to address society's “wicked” problems – those with interconnected causes and for which a solution often causes additional problems. Transdisciplinary theory and practice are described and their application to STEM education is proposed along with a model of measuring transdisciplinary skills. Recommendations are proposed for future research on cross-cultural/cross disciplinary models, pedagogy, measuring student collaboration, determining effective partnership models and institutional supports, and the potential role of the social sciences in contributing to research on transdisciplinary practice and education.