Before Research
1) How would you describe STEM education to a friend or family member in informal conversation?
STEM education is not only learning science, technology, engineering, and math in school, but incorporating those principles in the classroom as well. This includes encouraging inquiry and curiosity in the classroom as well as promoting cooperation and teamwork.
2) Why do you think STEM education is (or is not) important?
STEM education is important because it prepares students for many aspects of the "real world." It helps students be creative, free thinkers and become confident, competent adults.
3) What is the value of incorporating or enhancing STEM in public education.
Because STEM education has so many positive impacts on students, incorporating STEM in public education will allow students to benefit from STEM principles.
After Research
After reviewing the LiveBinder resources, some of my initial thoughts were reinforced. For example, the article "Why STEM?" talks about how STEM education "prepares students for life, regardless of the profession they choose to follow." This article also discusses how, included with the skills that I mentioned, STEM also promotes critical thinking and problem-solving, and improves engagement. These are skills that are beneficial in any field.
Another idea about the value of incorporating STEM in public education comes from the articles "Why so few?" and "Getting Girls Into STEM." One way to achieve this goal of getting girls interested in STEM is to offer it in a convenient place. By incorporating and improving STEM education in public schools girls (and boys) who go to public school are getting more and more exposure into STEM principles.
Jennie, I really like your description of STEM education and how you truly emphasized incorporating the STEM learning principles in the classroom rather than just learning math and science. This understand for teachers and students to realize that these subjects and the problem-solving skills will be useful in any career field.
ReplyDeleteBy working to get more girls interested in STEM education, the vision of a more diverse STEM career-field can be achieved where more diverse conversations and thinking can occur to foster a positive learning environment. It must be very discouraging for young females to look towards careers in STEM fields and see very few female workers there in a way that they could feel like an outcast and lead to them leaving STEM careers or not pursuing them altogether.
Teamwork is a big quality of STEM that is addressed. One thing that I have learned by teaching Technology Education is that while we can encourage students to work together to solve a problem; they still have some responsibility to independent work so they can develop their own views and understanding. Preparing our students for the "real world" is very important, but by providing them with skills that they will expect to use will make them more prepared and ready to compete in the market. We are providing them with a scenario basically and pushing them to be challenge. One thing I like about STEM is that it is not biased and it helps students learn different forms of learning to be able to work with different people. We live in a diverse world and we have to understand how to work together! STEM can be a challenge, but by having the skills to teach this unique method; we can create a more successful diverse classroom than a classroom that is limited on the knowledge. For example, my classes consist of approximately 32-33 students. I will have approximately 10-14 students with IEPs or 504s, but everyone works together and puts the same effort to solving problems as a team. It makes it easier for students to communicate and be creative with no judgement!
ReplyDeleteAnd students set goals for themselves!
DeleteJennie, Women in STEM was one aspect which I didn't think of before looking at the materials in the liveBinder, but I think it is a huge part of where STEM came from. I would add to your ideas the fact that so many people in STEM fields and in the work force in general are getting close to retirement that and we do not have the people interested or capable of taking these positions. I think this all wraps into your point that STEM education gives students skills which they can take to the workforce no matter what career they choose.
ReplyDelete