This is the first comprehensive book to consider STEM education from early childhood through to senior secondary education. It approaches STEM as a form of real-world, problem-based education that draws on the knowledge and skills of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. Rather than presenting each of the separate disciplines to an equal extent, it focuses on STEM researchers' perspectives on how their work contributes to effective STEM education in terms of building knowledge, skills and engagement. Gathering contributions by authors from various countries, the book explores effective STEM education from a range of perspectives within the international context. Moreover, it addresses critical issues in STEM education, including transition and trajectories, gender, rurality, socioeconomic status and cultural diversity. By doing so, it not only shares the current state of knowledge in this field, but also offers a source of inspiration for future research.

That which survives the initial assault may yet die from the infection left behind. In the destroyed country of Lithia, the former Gildonese leader of the Lowlands, King Fice, has violently assumed the throne, filling the void left by the Tek destruction of the country. His unnatural powers of sway have become more potent and his influence is far-reaching. The Tek invasion has also left a void within the kingdom of Epertase. The war has tested the once-great people and, with the venomous words of men Queen Alina considers friends, Epertase descends into revolution. Alina barely escapes with her life. Once again, the kingdom needs a savior. And once again Rasi will be forced to unleash the darker part of himself in order to save the woman he loves. All is not what it seems. Victory may still mean defeat. The war for Epertase has only begun.

Since the dawn of time, the Light of Epertase has determined when the throne was to be passed from elder to heir. For more than a thousand years, the Light's decision had never been challenged ... Until now. When a ruthless army advances on Epertase, the Light determines that corrupt King Elijah is no longer fit to rule. His daughter, Princess Alina, becomes the kingdom's only hope for salvation. When evil men violently abduct her, Epertase's fall appears inevitable. But all is not lost, for Alina has a secret lover lurking in the outer mountains, a long-banished warrior willing to bring down armies and King Elijah himself to save her. His name is Rasi and he prepares for blood. Deadly men plan to sacrifice Alina for the Light of Epertase that lives within her soul. Rasi plans to kill all who try. The kingdom's fate hangs in the balance.

When kings make war, innocent men die. After Rasi's bloody defeat at the hands of King Fice, he awakens imprisoned in the fisher kingdom. The dark wizard, Tevin the Third, has assumed Epertase's throne. He rules with an iron fist. All he needs to gain ultimate power is Alina's Light. Fearing him, Alina has fled with her son, Cridon, to Torick Island where the banished Teks now live. But the Light has been broken and is calling Cridon back to Epertase and the dark wizard. Tevin must be stopped, and the fate of the kingdom rests within the soul of a child. The end of days has just begun.