No Nation Will Industrialize Without Science
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is What a Nation Need to Develop
STEM
is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics,
and encompasses a vast array of subjects that fall into each of those
terms. While it is almost impossible to list every discipline, some
common STEM areas include: aerospace engineering, astrophysics,
astronomy, biochemistry, biomechanics, chemical engineering, chemistry,
civil engineering, computer science, mathematical biology,
nanotechnology, neurobiology, nuclear physics, physics, and robotics,
among many, many others. As evidenced by the multitude of disciplines,
it’s clear that STEM fields affect virtually every component of our
everyday lives.
In the United States, STEM is of the utmost importance because of the
role these subjects play at multiple levels of society, and the
tremendous impact they have. Our country’s entire economy revolves
around mathematics:
accounting, economics, functions and logarithms, and calculus. The
architecture industry is centered on math, as is urban development and
city planning. Medical research is fueled by the study of chemistry and
biology, and environmental efforts like sustainable energy and nuclear
power are also steeped in the sciences. It’s impossible to find a part
of society that does not, in some way, interact with these subjects, and
since so many of these industries are coordinated by or connected to
our government at some level, it’s safe to say that the very governing
of our country depends on them. STEM is essential to our education system, as school districts across the country strive to build a stronger curriculum around these subjects.
STEM and Education
Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. Occupations in STEM-related
careers are some of the fastest growing and best paid of the 21st
century, and they often have the greatest potential for job growth. As
America strives to keep up with the current and projected demand for
STEM output, it is important that our country remains competitive in
fields of science, technology, medicine, and all of the other STEM
fields we have mentioned so far. The best way to ensure future success
and longevity it is to make sure that American students are well versed
in these subjects. Building a solid STEM foundation through a
well-rounded curriculum is the best way to ensure that students are
exposed to math, science, and technology throughout their educational
career.
Students are extremely curious and impressionable, so instilling an
interest at an early age could spark a lasting desire to pursue a career
in any of these fields. By the time a student is ready to enter the
work force, they must have enough knowledge to make invaluable
contributions to our nation’s STEM industries. It is also important that
schools have an ample amount of teachers
who are experts in STEM, and these subjects should always be considered
as high demand subjects. Teachers who follow an alternative route to
teacher certification are at an advantage to teach in a STEM field if
they majored in one, or are transitioning from a STEM-related career. If
you are interested in becoming a teacher
and you have studied chemistry, biology, physics, calculus,
engineering, or any other STEM subject, you will be a great asset to
your school.
STEM Initiatives
Despite America’s competitive edge in STEM industries, our nation has
been experiencing a decline in the output of STEM talent that is not
conducive to high demands.
School curricula have been lacking in their math and science
components, and in response to this decrease in STEM education, several
initiatives have been started to reclaim the lead and produce literate,
savvy, and driven young talent that will leave their indelible marks on
STEM industries.
The American Competitiveness Initiative
The American Competitiveness Initiative
was instituted by President George W. Bush in 2006 to address the
shortfalls in federal support of STEM educational development. The
initiative called for a significant increase in federal funding with the
hopes of seeing an increase in college graduates with STEM degrees. It
sought to double federal spending for advanced research in physical
sciences, and to improve science and mathematics education in public
schools. It also aimed to provide additional training for teachers in
science, math, and technology. The American Competitiveness Initiative
has since been replaced by the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.
The STEM Education Coalition
The STEM Education Coalition
supports STEM programs for teachers and students at agencies that offer
STEM related programs, such as the US Department of Education and the
National Science Foundation. The STEM Education Coalition defines itself
as “an alliance of more than 500 business, professional, and education
organizations, [that] works aggressively to raise awareness in Congress,
the Administration, and other organizations about the critical role
that STEM education plays in enabling the U.S. to remain the economic
and technological leader of the global marketplace of the 21st century.”
100Kin10
100Kin10 is a new
initiative founded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Opportunity
Education, and NewSchools Venture Fund to “recruit, prepare, retain, and
support 100,000 excellent STEM teachers over the coming 10 years in
order to prepare all students with the high-quality STEM knowledge and
skills needed to address the most pressing national and global
challenges of tomorrow.” Since their inception in January 2011, they
have recruited over 80 partner organizations that have committed
to help increase the supply of teachers, develop and retain excellent
teachers, and ensure that all students are literate enough in STEM to
become excellent contributors to society.
Corporations and Institutions Promoting STEM Education
Rossier School of Education, USC
In June 2011, Karen Symms Gallagher, dean of the University of
Southern California Rossier School of Education participated in the
inaugural Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America. CGI America united
over 600 business, nonprofit, and governmental leaders to brainstorm
initiatives for increasing economic growth in the United States. USC Rossier
is a part of 100Kin10, thus becoming the first school to join that
Initiative. Dean Gallagher and 100Kin10 joined the Opportunity Equation,
Teach for America, the National Math + Science Initiative, and many
others at CGI in being recognized by Bill Clinton for “a commitment to
increasing the supply of excellent teachers in the areas of science,
technology, engineering and mathematics.”
Northeastern University
Intel
One of the leaders in innovative computer technology, Intel,
has demonstrated their commitment to STEM. As a prime example of a
company completely centered around STEM, Intel represents one of many
industries who’s prosperity, and therefore the prosperity of our
country, relies on future generations’ interest in these fields. Their Education
page seeks to help teachers enrich their STEM classes and inspire
students to become future leaders in the industry. Through guidance for lesson plans, curriculum design, and interactive multimedia resources,
Intel empowers teachers to create fun and exciting lessons that will
engage with their students while also bringing STEM to the forefront of
the classroom.
Source: Teach web
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