Advancing Education for Sustainable Development in STEM: A Systematic Review of Innovative Pedagogies, Digital Integration, Cognitive-Emotional Engagement, and Community-Policy Strategies

The integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education (ESD-STEM) is essential to prepare students for global challenges. This systematic literature review (SLR), guided by the PRISMA framework, analysed 29 studies published between 2020 and 2024. Four key themes emerged: (1) innovative pedagogies, including problem-based learning, flipped classroom, and transdisciplinary approaches, which enhance critical thinking and problem-solving; (2) integration of digital tools such as AI, robotics, and Open Educational Resources, which support engagement and real-world application; (3) cognitive, emotional, and cross-disciplinary elements that foster intellectual readiness and emotional investment in sustainability; and (4) community and policy engagement that links theory to practice and institutional support. Despite these advances, challenges such as rigid curricula, insufficient resources, and limited teacher training remain. The study concludes that creative pedagogies, curriculum redesign, professional development, and resource allocation are pivotal to advancing 21st-century ESD-STEM.