This book explores a range of issues central to STEM and 21st Century education. It explores research into the relationships between creativity, critical thinking and STEM Education from both a theoretical and practical perspective. It examines matters associated with three main concerns: First is the ways some research and development that is labelled "STEM" appears to be essentially one of the specific individual components, S, T, E or M, with a new label rather than something going across and/or beyond these more traditional components. The second, at times intertwining, concern is the common ways in which school curriculum continues to hold separate disciplines as its core. The third concern is that while cross-curriculum goals are increasingly common in this century - particularly for "creativity" and "critical thinking" - it is also common that the goals remain only vaguely linked with the more usual components of the whole curriculum. This book reflects on all three of these important concerns and the integrated whole that can result from them.

Monash University, King's College London and Waikato University have now generated six edited books on successive related research issues of significance to contemporary science education. Each of these books has been substantially shaped by a writing workshop involving all authors in intensive discussion about drafts of their contributions (a process of great worth in its own right, as well as for enhancing the value of the final volume), and then each author reworking the contribution in the light of the discussions The seventh will extend beyond science education and explore a range of issues central to STEM and 21^st Century education.

Amanda Berry is Professor of STEM Education, in the Faculty of Education, Monash University, Australia. Amanda has a distinguished international profile in science education research, particularly science teacher knowledge, including pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). She has authored numerous publications, including edited books, Handbook chapters, journal articles and book chapters in the field of science teacher knowledge and PCK. Amanda's recent work has focused on teacher learning about STEM education, in particular, the development of teachers' STEM identities through participation in interdisciplinary communities of practice.

Cathy Buntting is Director of the Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research a senior research fellow at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. With a Master's degree in biochemistry and a PhD in science education, her research interests span science education, technology education and STEM education. She is particularly interested in the ways in which digital technology can support learning in these areas, and is Director of the New Zealand Science Learning Hub, a vast online resource linking STEM practitioners with school teachers and students.

Deborah Corrigan is a Professor of Science Education at Monash University. After working as a chemistry and biology teacher, she has worked at Monash University in chemistry and science education, particularly in teacher preparation. Her research interests include industry and technology links with science, curriculum design, science and STEM education policy and the values that underpin science education. However, her main research interest remains improving the quality of chemistry and science education so that it is relevant to students.

Richard Gunstone is Emeritus Professor of Science and Technology Education at Monash University. He has worked extensively in other countries across the globe. His research has embraced sciences-related learning, teaching, curriculum and assessment, variously in pre-school, primary and secondary education, and in undergraduate science, engineering and information technology. Today he is increasingly concerned with contemporary science/science research, links between science and citizens, and school education (including the rapid development of STEM as a focus for many education-related critical issues). He has published widely, including editing the Encyclopedia of Science Education (Springer, 2015). He is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, and a Life Member of Science Teachers' Association of Victoria (Australia). In 2014 he was presented with the NARST Distinguished Contributions to Science Education through Research Award.

Alister Jones is a Research Professor and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato, New Zealand. He is a Strategic Advisor for the New Zealand Science Learning Hub, and Director of a number of education-related companies. He has been consulted on educational development in New Zealand, Australia, the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Chile and Thailand.