Chapter Highlights

Ethical considerations in STEM education are increasingly important as technology continues to shape contemporary society. Integrating ethics into STEM curricula enables students to address global challenges while critically evaluating the societal implications of innovation. Through principles such as equity, collaboration, critical thinking, and inclusivity, ethics education supports responsible and socially aware STEM practices.

• Foundations of Ethical STEM Education – Emphasises core principles such as equitable access, inclusivity, teamwork, critical thinking, and responsible innovation as the foundation of ethical STEM practice.
• Curriculum and Interdisciplinary Integration – Explores strategies for embedding ethics across STEM curricula, supported by collaboration with the humanities and the integration of professional and industry ethical standards.
• Ethics of Emerging Technologies – Examines ethical challenges related to artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and genetic engineering, highlighting the need for forward-looking ethical frameworks.
• Global and Societal Challenges – Applies ethical reasoning to real-world problems such as climate change, healthcare equity, and technological inequality, linking STEM education to broader societal responsibility.
• Critical Thinking and Ethical Decision-Making – Focuses on developing students’ ethical awareness, moral reasoning, and capacity to make informed and responsible decisions in complex STEM-related contexts.