The formation of students’ subject competence in physics in the conditions of STEM education in Ukraine and USA

Abstract

The article provides a comparative analysis of the formation of subject competence in physics of the students in the conditions of receiving STEM education in higher education institutions of Ukraine and USA. The theoretical principles of the formation of competence as an integrative characteristic that combines a system of knowledge, skills, abilities, research experience and socio-communicative qualities are revealed. The role of physics as a basic discipline in the structure of STEM education is substantiated, which ensures the formation of scientific thinking, the ability to model and solve applied problems. The features of the formation of STEM competences in physics in Ukraine, where fundamental theoretical training dominates with the gradual integration of interdisciplinary approaches, as well as in the USA, where the educational process is characterized by practice-orienteers, extensive use of research and project-based learning, integration of digital technologies and a clear focus on learning outcomes, are analyzed. The paper summarizes the structure of the main STEM competences in physics, which includes fundamental knowledge, analytical, research, computational competencies, as well as soft skills and professional orientation. A model for the formation of these competencies is presented, which includes target, content, methodological, technological, activity, evaluation and outcome components, and their comparative analysis is carried out in the context of two educational systems. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the regulatory and legal support of STEM education, including national and international framework documents regulating the formation of competencies. Common trends in the development of STEM education are identified, in particular, the orientation towards interdisciplinarity, digitalization and a competency-based approach, and differences related to the degree of practical orientation, level of standardization and integration with the labor market are also identified. The results of the study indicate the need for further improvement of the process of forming subject competence in physics of the students in Ukraine by strengthening the practical component of training, integrating modern technologies and using effective international practices.