The article presents the results of theoretical and practical analysis of the problem of STEM education in Ukraine. The authors assume that the definition of theoretical and methodological principles of this problem will help create conditions for the effective completion of educational and upbringing tasks in educational institutions. The article reveals the main conceptual principles of the order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine 05.082020 № 960-r «On approval of the Conception of natural sciences and mathematical education development (STEM-education)». Implementation of this Conception is envisaged by 2027. This Conception is aimed at the development of STEM-education, its large-scale implementation at all levels of education, establishing partnerships with employers and research institutions and their involvement in the development of natural sciences and mathematical education. The article also reveals the main theoretical and methodological principles of STEM-education such as: methodological principles, resource principles, organizational conditions and human resources, which ensures the success of the implementation of innovative learning in the education system. Creating an educational STEM-environment in an educational institution is one of the main tasks of the current stage of development of STEM-education. The educational STEM-environment of an educational institution is a set of intellectual and material conditions for the implementation of research results, technologies, engineering and integrated knowledge that ensure the self-development of a free and active personality and the realization of creative potential of students. STEM-education is implemented under the conditions of integration of all types of education on the basis of online platforms, media products, STEM-centers or laboratories, virtual STEM-centers, using non-standard methods, such as: STEM-excursions, interactive quests, contests or competitions in areas such as Internet of Things and robotics, STEM -festivals of makers and inventors, scientific picnics, hackathons, etc. The authors assume that the use of the above innovative and interactive methods and forms of work, organically combined with the peculiarities of educational activities, will effectively meet requirements of the Conception of natural sciences and mathematical education development (STEM-education), will allow students to form skills of research and engineering, invention and entrepreneurship, will provide support to students in their professional self-determination.

The article analyzes the experience of introducing a research teaching method using IT and STEM technologies in institutions of general secondary education based on the implementation of the all-Ukrainian project “I am a researcher”. The concepts of educational and research activities, the readiness for its implementation and various aspects of the organization of such activities in the educational process are considered. The theoretical and methodological components (motivational-value, cognitive, practical-activity, reflexive-evaluative) of students’ readiness to carry out educational and research activities and teachers’ readiness to organize such activities have been determined. The levels of the readiness for research activities are characterized: high, sufficient and basic. The results of studies of the state of readiness for research activities of applicants for education using IT and STEM technologies for certain components, indicators and levels are presented. The article presents a description of the pedagogical conditions for the introduction of a research teaching method using IT and STEM technologies in general secondary education institutions as: the improving the content of educational provision and creating modern educational content based on the research teaching method and STEM approaches; development and implementation of a set of management decisions in experimental institutions on the basis of partnership interaction not only of all participants in the educational process, but also of local authorities, employers, business representatives and other stakeholders; creation of scientific and methodological support for the training of teachers and their acquisition of practical experience in the development of research competence of applicants for education based on STEM and IT approaches; participation of school teams in various festivals, competitions, competitions, other motivational STEM events and research areas. The complex of innovative educational products is presented, which includes educational and teaching aids of the I-researcher series for the middle level of education, the didactic system of natural-mathematical primary education “I am a 2.0 researcher” in the first cycle of primary school. The article reflects the promising trends in the further implementation of the research method of teaching using IT and STEM technologies in institutions of general secondary education on the basis of the didactic system of natural and mathematical primary education “I am a researcher 2.0”.

The article attempts to define the concepts: “STEM-project” and “project with elements of STEM”. It is proposed to interpret the concept of “project with elements of STEM” as a set of practical forms and methods that effectively form the key competencies needed by each person for successful life, personality development, motivation to learn, creative thinking, research skills, ability to self-study through implementation competence approach during the implementation of STEM-projects. The necessity of implementation of project-research activity with STEM elements is substantiated not only at mastering of subjects of a natural-mathematical cycle, but also at mastering of all school courses that is quite real considering high level of integration of knowledge and skills of pupils in modern conditions. The introduction of STEM-projects in educational institutions determines the self-determination of young people, the effective solution of problems and tasks of career guidance work. The project activity is one of the most promising components of the educational process, which creates conditions for creative self-development and self-realization of students, forms all the necessary life competencies: multicultural, speech, information, political and social. The independent search for knowledge, their systematization, the ability to navigate in the information space, see the problem and make decisions is through the method of projects — effective learning technology. The relevance of the article is due to the need to expand the scientific and conceptual apparatus of STEM-education, providing practical advice on the implementation of forms, methods and techniques of STEM training in the general educational process.