Collaborative technologies for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): Sociology of science and knowledge, holistic systems engineering, and systems thinking

This paper is a conceptual thought experiment that discusses the need for efficient, interactive and inter- operative, application- and learner-centered collaborative technologies to enable implementation of cognitive apprenticeship, training, and other types of education and sociological techniques that can help change the engineering environment, both educational and occupational, to enhance recruitment of non- traditional STEM professionals and enhance all STEM Professional's ability to function in their chosen occupational settings. The authors recommend using holistic systems engineering design approaches to develop collaborative technology (CT) that can be used to change these cultures. The authors conclude that multi- disciplinary work teams that include educators, social science systems engineers and history of science and technology systems engineers, who have support from the highest levels of management, should be used to resolve the identified problems.