A recent story from the New York Times provides a striking reminder of the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. In this case, veterinarians, engineers, marine biologists, and data scientists worked hand-in-hand to protect endangered killer whales. This successful collaboration offers a powerful model for education: when we integrate subjects and break down barriers, we enable students to solve problems as they exist in the real world—complex and without boundaries.
Interdisciplinary teaching, especially in the context of STEM, not only reshapes how subjects are taught but also enhances students' abilities to address complex, real-world challenges.
Why interdisciplinary teaching matters
Interdisciplinary teaching is not just a new pedagogical trend; it’s a necessity in today’s interconnected world. The collaborative effort to save the endangered killer whales relied on various disciplines—veterinary science, engineering, data analysis, marine biology, and even community outreach. This collective approach parallels the kind of integration that can make classroom education more impactful.
When teachers blend insights from multiple fields—like integrating math with engineering or using technology in science lessons—they mirror the approach that professionals use in the real world. This not only helps students connect more deeply with the material but also enhances their ability to tackle complex problems, just as the whale conservation team did.
A recent meta-analysis of STEM education and interdisciplinary teaching emphasizes the value of integrating various disciplines into a single teaching framework. The study found a moderately positive correlation between interdisciplinary approaches in STEM and the enhancement of teachers' abilities to develop curricula that foster problem-solving and critical thinking among students. This framework—focused on breaking traditional subject boundaries—significantly empowers educators, much like the killer whale team whose holistic approach ensured the whales' survival.
Practical strategies to foster interdisciplinary teaching
To translate the importance of interdisciplinary approaches into practical school initiatives, consider the success factors evident in the killer whale case. Administrators can implement similar collaboration models in schools:
- Cross-subject projects: Encourage teachers to develop projects that span multiple subjects. Imagine a project where students tackle an environmental issue, requiring them to use their skills in science (ecosystem understanding), mathematics (data analysis), technology (sensor design), and language arts (public awareness campaigns). This mirrors the cross-functional approach of the whale conservation team, where each discipline contributes its own piece to solve a larger puzzle.
- STEM-focused professional development: According to the research by Wu et al, teachers who receive targeted STEM training become better at integrating concepts across disciplines. This training gives educators the tools to guide students through real-world problems that require creative and interdisciplinary solutions. Professional development should include collaborative exercises, similar to how the killer whale team had to learn to work across disciplines, sharing knowledge and expertise. Let’s stop the “sit and get” model of PD.
- Small steps lead to big gains: Schools do not need a complete overhaul to adopt interdisciplinary teaching. Educators can start small. For example, pair teachers from different subjects to co-develop a project or integrate one or two interdisciplinary units in the curriculum. These manageable changes can lead to significant improvements in student engagement and problem-solving skills.
Building a school-wide culture of collaboration
When there have been new inventions, vaccines, or scientific breakthroughs, collaboration was not just a requirement but the key to success. This mirrors the importance of school culture in fostering interdisciplinary learning. When administrators actively support and promote cross-disciplinary initiatives, teachers feel empowered to try new approaches and collaborate. Schools need to support this culture by dedicating time for planning across subjects, encouraging co-teaching models, and recognizing and celebrating successful interdisciplinary initiatives.
Research highlights that a supportive culture leads to enhanced teacher collaboration and significantly improved student outcomes. In the killer whale project, the success lay in the seamless collaboration between fields that traditionally don’t often overlap. Schools can create this type of culture by valuing and incentivizing interdisciplinary efforts.
Jason McKenna is V.P. of Global Educational Strategy for VEX Robotics and author of “What STEM Can Do for Your Classroom: Improving Student Problem Solving, Collaboration, and Engagement, Grade K-6.” His work specializes in curriculum development, global educational strategy, and engaging with educators and policymakers worldwide. For more of his insights, subscribe to his newsletter.
