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STEM

Page history last edited by Debbie Kelley 12 years, 8 months ago

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

Presented by Debbie Kelley

 

STEM (science technology engineering mathematics) is a corporate initiative to bring the United States into the forefront of the world marketplace in regard to their knowledge and development of these four major disciplines.

 

 

Historical Context of Work

 

STEM roots run back to The Committee of Ten, but it can be theorized that the impending launch of Sputnik, and our position in the space race lead to the defined origin of this movement.  In 1952, five years prior to the Sputnik launch, the first identified STEM education funding was awarded to the National Science Foundation as research grants to support graduate work in the fields of science and engineering.  This move indicates that the STEM knowledge of the United States relative to other nations, was becoming a priority for lawmakers.  Perhaps one of the best catalysts for the surge in the STEM education  movement lies in the Nation at Risk assessment of 1983 which indicated America’s fall from the top in STEM related areas, particularly technological innovations.  Since that time, hundreds of legislative actions have been introduced, many of which did not pass, in an attempt to close the gap between our national STEM proficiency and that of other top nations.  Currently, there are more than 200 programs funded through the STEM initiative.

 

 

 

Education and Influences

 

STEM is a major driving force in educational development and curriculum now and will continue to be for years to come.  Our ability to compete with other nations in these areas is highly contingent on the production of students who are interested in and capable of working in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.  In order to establish itself as a leader in STEM fields, the United State must develop a curriculum that focuses on these subjects in early grades and continues that focus throughout the high school and college years.  The nature of our world, and the global climate, indicates that advances in STEM will only continue to increase and we, as a nation, must be prepared to contribute to that movement. 

 

 STEM iniative can be viewed as an extension of the Committee of Ten’s work in establishing curriculum for students in the U.S.

 

On the heels of the Nation at Risk assessment, it was logical for lawmakers and educators alike to recognize the need for increased academic focus on STEM.

 

CCCS is closely tied to STEM by its development of standards in the field of mathematics. 

 

 

Impact on Best Practices

 

 

The effects of STEM on best practices in curriculum and instruction are far reaching.  Students are being exposed to concepts related to STEM at younger ages and the exposure is following them throughout their educational lives.  The inclusion and integration of standards relating to the use of technology is constantly growing and touches every discipline of education.  Assessment of knowledge in math and science begins at elementary ages and is often implemented using advancements in technology.  Colleges and universities are actively promoting degrees in these disciplines and students are receiving funding to acquire STEM degrees, as well as, conduct STEM related research.  There is a greater focus, in the classroom, on student's ability to understand critical STEM concepts and be able to translate that understanding into applicable practice.

 

Concerns over STEM advancements and our state’s (even our country’s) desire to produce students competent in these areas have lead to the development of standards which embody critical concepts related to math, science, and technology.  High stakes testing occurs in math and science, prompting educators in middle schools to prepare students more rigorously than in past decades for these tests.  

 

 

Problems or Failures

 

STEM education is an ongoing process that has the support of educators, lawmakers, and industry leaders.  The initiative itself has not been challenged, but rather embraces, as a necessity for our country to develop at the same pace as other developed nations.  The United Sates ability to be a competitive world force is contingent upon STEM and this fact is recognized by all persons involved in its promotion.  The challenges which have arisen to STEM legislation (hundreds of bills are now currently dead) spring out of disputes over the national budget and allocation of funds to support the endeavors related to STEM.  President George W. Bush, in 2007, signed the America COMPETES Act which solidified our commitment to science and engineering research, as well as, made provisions for bringing STEM initiatives into the K-12 classrooms.   In a continued victory for STEM, President Obama signed the America COMPETES Act Reauthorization of 2010 which contains continued support for STEM advancement. 

The two main issues still surrounding STEM are the development of curriculum and the need for qualified educators in these disciplines.  College enrollment in STEM related fields is still not as high in the United States as other nations, and many feel this is due to the lack of qualified teachers to educate and inspire students in these disciplines.  Disparities between the pay for STEM area teachers, and professionals working in these fields make it difficult to attract the quality of educators needed to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.

 

Other Interesting Facts

Our nation is committed to STEM growth from the top (the president himself) all the way down the pipeline to the individual classroom teacher.  The United States has placed focus on STEM in order to keep up with a changing world and etch out a place for itself, as a nation, in leading developments in these four critical areas.  It is my opinion that changes in education must occur first to prepare our students for successful careers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics before we will see significant growth in these areas as a nation.

 

Impact on Others

 

The impact STEM initiatives have on our country touches the lives of everyone in our nation.  America has long been a major force in the world, and needs to stay competitive in the world marketplace.  Our country cannot continue to be the power it is today if STEM advancements do not increase, or, at the very least, continue. 

 

Recent reports on STEM education policy have their primary focus on these five areas:

1-improving elementary and secondary preparation in math and science

2-recruiting new teachers for math and science at the elementary and secondary level

3-enhanced training of current math and science teachers

4-increasing the number of college students pursuing degrees in STEM related fields

5-supporting research in STEM areas

 

References

Committee on Prospering in the Global Economy of the 21st Century: An Agenda for American Science and Technology, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering & Institute of Medicine. (2007). Rising above the gathering storm: energizing and employing America for a brighter economic future. Washington, D.C. National Academies Press.

 

Kirk, Mary. (2009). Gender and Information Technology: Moving Beyond Access to Co-Create Global Partnership. Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

 

http://stemgeorgia.georgiastandards.org/Pages/STEM-home.aspx

www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33434.pdf

http://www.stemedcoalition.org

 

 

 



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