Call for Papers ~ STEAM Education: Hearing the Voices from the Global South

Lead Editor:
Dr. Oswaldo Castro-Romero, Professor, Universidad Vizcaya de las Américas
oswaldo.castro@khu.ac.kr

Co-Editors / Academic Advisors:

Dr. Eunbae Lee, Kyung Hee University, South Korea, elee@khu.ac.kr
MA. Yataro Adolfo Loeza Mireles, Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico, yloezam@edubc.mx
Dr. Abril Saknycte Orozco Salcedo, Universidad Vizcaya de las Américas, Mexico, abrilsaknycte@gmail.com
Dr. Mariana Betzabeth Pelayo Perez, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Mexico, pelayombpp@gmail.com
Mr. Benjamin Gil Sanchez Victorio, Shingawa International School, Japan, bsanchez@sistokyo.jp

This special issue seeks to amplify the voices and innovations emerging from the Global South in the field of STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). While STEAM approaches have been globally acknowledged for promoting creativity, problem-solving, and inclusive education, their implementation in under-resourced and marginalized communities remains underexplored in academic literature.

We invite scholars, educators, practitioners, and community leaders to contribute original research, case studies, and theoretical reflections that center on social justice, cultural responsiveness, gender equity, and local knowledge systems in STEAM education. Submissions in English and Spanish are welcome.

Topics of Interest include (but are not limited to):

  • Culturally responsive STEAM curricula and pedagogy

  • Community-driven innovation and indigenous knowledge systems

  • Intersectional frameworks empowering girls and vulnerable populations

  • The role of the arts in civic engagement and inclusion

  • Transdisciplinary and intergenerational collaboration in STEAM

  • Decolonizing STEAM education

  • Policy frameworks supporting inclusive education in the Global South

Submission Guidelines:

  • Submissions must follow APA 7th edition style

  • Articles may be submitted in English or Spanish

  • Word count: 2,000–7,000 words (including references)

  • Include an abstract (150–200 words) in both English and Spanish (if possible)

Timeline:

  • Abstract Due: December 31

  • Full Paper Submission: March 1 or before

  • Peer Review & Revisions: April 1

  • Publication Date: May 1

Submission Link:

https://ojed.org/STEM/submissions 

Note to Authors:

  • You will need to create an account if you are submitting for the first time.

  • Be sure to select “Special Issue: STEAM Education – Voices from the Global South” when submitting your manuscript.

  • Ensure your submission adheres to APA 7th edition formatting and includes all required metadata.

For questions or abstract contact directly: Dr. Oswaldo Castro-Romero, Professor, Vizcaya University of the Americas, oswaldo.castro@khu.ac.kr

Author Guidelines for Journal Manuscripts
To support academic integrity and writing quality, authors are expected to follow the structure and standards outlined below, which are aligned with best practices in scholarly publishing and ethical AI usage.

  1. Title and Abstract
  • Title: Should be specific, concise (no more than 15 words), and contain relevant keywords. Avoid jargon and abbreviations.
  • Abstract: Provide a structured summary (150–250 words) including background, purpose, methodology, key findings, and implications. Avoid citations in the abstract.
  • Keywords: Select 5–7 keywords that accurately reflect the study focus for improved indexing and discoverability.
  1. Introduction
    The introduction sets the stage for the research study. It should:
  • Offer contextual background using current statistics or literature (with at least 5–7 recent citations).
  • Present a clearly defined problem statement grounded in the literature.
  • Identify the research gap and explain why it matters.
  • State specific research questions or hypotheses.
  • Conclude with the significance of the study to theory, practice, or policy.
  1. Literature Review
    This section must:
  • Synthesize 15–20 scholarly studies, grouped into 2–3 thematic subheadings.
  • Include 3–5 publications from the current year to demonstrate up-to-date engagement.
  • Avoid mere listing; instead, compare, contrast, and contextualize findings.
  • Identify key themes, contradictions, and gaps in the literature.
  • Conclude by linking the literature back to your research questions.
  1. Research Methodology
    Authors must clearly describe and justify their chosen methodology. Include the following:
  • Research design: Specify whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods.
    • Qualitative: Identify the design (e.g., case study, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography) and explain why it is appropriate.
    • Quantitative: Indicate the type (e.g., survey, correlational, experimental) and specify variables and measurement tools.
    • Mixed methods: Specify the design (e.g., convergent, sequential), sequence, timing, and how integration occurred.
  • Sampling and participants: Describe the sampling strategy, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and demographic overview.
  • Data collection procedures: Explain instruments used (e.g., surveys, interviews), number of items or sessions, and setting.
  • Data analysis techniques: Indicate tools (e.g., SPSS, NVivo) and analytic procedures (e.g., thematic coding, t-tests).
  • Ethical considerations: Mention IRB approval or consent processes.
  1. Results
    Present findings objectively and without interpretation:
  • Quantitative: Use descriptive (means, SDs) and inferential (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA) statistics.
  • Qualitative: Present themes with concise definitions and representative quotes.
  • Mixed methods: Present both strands separately and then offer integrated results.
  • Limit to a maximum of 4 tables or figures, properly labeled in APA 7th format.

Tip: Results must answer the research questions

  1. Discussion
    Interpret and contextualize findings by:
  • Restating the main results.
  • Connecting findings to previous studies (agreements, contradictions, or extensions).
  • Highlighting theoretical, practical, and policy implications.
  • Acknowledging limitations and their impact.
  • Offering specific, actionable directions for future research.
  1. Conclusion
    The conclusion should:
  • Summarize the study’s purpose, methods, and major findings.
  • Reinforce how the research contributes to the field.
  • Avoid introducing new data.
  • Provide a forward-looking statement or recommendation.
  1. References
    All references must:
  • Be formatted in APA 7th edition style.
  • Include recent and credible peer-reviewed sources.
  • Match every in-text citation with a reference entry and vice versa.

For citation formatting, consult: https://aut.ac.nz.libguides.com/APA7th/Articles

  1. Formatting and Language
  • Use clear, concise academic prose.
  • Proofread for grammar, coherence, and logical flow.
  • Limit figures and tables (max 4).
  • Use section headings appropriately.
  1. AI Use Policy and Acknowledgment
    Generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, QuillBot) are welcome for:
  • Brainstorming research questions.
  • Organizing or paraphrasing content.
  • Refining grammar and structure.

However:

  • Content must reflect human scholarly input, synthesis, and interpretation.
  • AI tools must not fabricate data or sources.
  • Authors must add an AI use acknowledgment at the end of the article:

AI Acknowledgment: The author used generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) to support the brainstorming, drafting, and language refinement stages. All academic content, citations, and interpretations were created and verified by the author.

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