Bibliometric Analysis: STEM Research in Primary Education (2021-2025)

Abstract

In the context of primary education, organizing the learning process within STEM education has become an area of growing interest among both teachers and students, which has led to a surge in research across various domains. This bibliometric study examines 543 publications indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database, analyzing key trends and intellectual and collaborative structures of publications related to STEM research in primary education from 2021 to 2025. The findings indicate a steady annual increase in the number of publications in this field. Within the WoS categories, 69.2% of the publications on this topic belong to the field of education research. Among the leading journals, Education Sciences and Frontiers in Education stand out. The intellectual structure of STEM research in primary school is mainly shaped by scholars from China, the USA, Hong Kong, and Australia, while contributions from scientists in Colombia, Portugal, and Chile remain relatively limited. Analysis of key terms reveals that dominant research clusters are centered around STEM education, primary education, engineering skill development, technological proficiency, and project-based learning. This study provides valuable insights into the learning process organization within STEM education, interdisciplinary connection establishment, and the expansion of integrated education approaches in primary schools.

Received: 15 July 2025 / Accepted: 22 October 2025 / Published: 05 November 2025