Epistemic practices and the learning and knowledge produced through such practices as building models, arguing from evidence, and communicating findings increase the likelihood that students will learn the ideas of science or engineering and mathematics at a deeper, more enduring level than otherwise would be the case. Research evidence consistently supports this assertion. Simply put, the centrality of the "means" by which STEM knowledge is learned, produced, shared, and revised allows us to grasp what constitutes STEM, what it is, and what it brings to the teaching and learning process.
via www.edweek.org
STEM (commonly short for science, technology, engineering and mathematics) often brings about other ambiguous meanings. The description above from Moon and Singer emphasizes STEM as the "means" more so than the "ends".
