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

Lead Editors:

Dr. Abril Saknycte Orozco Salcedo, Professor, Universidad Vizcaya de las Américas, Mexico. Email: abrilsaknycte@gmail.com
Dr. Oswaldo Castro-Romero, Assistant Professor, Kansai University, Japan. Email: caro20jhs@gmail.com

Co-Editors

Dr. Ana Rosa Barrón-Hernández, Secretaría de Educación Pública, Mexico. Email: anabarronhdz@gmail.com
Dr. Mariana Betzabeth Pelayo Pérez, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Mexico. Email: pelayombpp@gmail.com
Dr. Ing. Arturo Eduardo Cerón López, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico. Email: arturo.ceron@tec.mx
M.A. Ana Daniela González Muñoz - Centro de Estudios Universitarios Vizcaya de las Américas, Mexico. Email: danielagonzalezmunoz3@gmail.com

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, Innovative Pedagogies, and Equity-Centered Practices
Community-Driven Innovation, Local Knowledge, and Indigenous Perspectives in STEAM Education
Intersectional Frameworks in STEAM for Empowering Girls and Vulnerable Populations
Integrating Liberal Arts, Humanities, and Cross-Cultural Communication in STEAM Education
Educational Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Technologies, and Sustainable Development through STEM and STEAM Education
Decolonizing STEAM Education
Policy and Institutional Frameworks Supporting STEAM Education in the Global South

Submission Guidelines:

Submissions must follow APA 7th edition style
Articles may be submitted in English or Spanish
Word count: 4,500–7,000 words (including references)
Include an abstract (100–120 words) in both English and Spanish (if possible)

Timeline:

Abstract Due: December 31, 2026
Full Paper Submission: March 1, 2027, or earlier
Peer Review & Revisions: April 1, 2027
Publication Date: May 1, 2027

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. Abril Saknycte Orozco Salcedo abrilsaknycte@gmail.com or Dr. Oswaldo Castro-Romero caro20jhs@gmail.com

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.

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 (110–120 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. Authors can consult the ERIC Thesaurus: ERIC Thesaurus

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines (Español) https://normas-apa.org/referencias/

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.

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.

In collaboration with