STEM Must Be Modernized

I agree that today's students no longer show an interest in STEM fields. Years ago it was not uncommon to hear someone say they wanted to be an Astronaut or a scientist. You did a wonderful ... See More

I agree that today's students no longer show an interest in STEM fields. Years ago it was not uncommon to hear someone say they wanted to be an Astronaut or a scientist. You did a wonderful job of showing how our students lack the drive to focus on careers that are STEM related. Though I agree that our lack of engaging STEM curriculum is part of the problem, I believe it is also not a validated career in our current society. Today's children spend much of their time on video games and watching television. Many of those shows are geared toward the current trend in careers. They go to fields that are familiar to them. Films like Avenger's are great examples of what television producers could be using to gain interest in STEM fields. They fail to focus on the science and technology that cause so much engagement for students. These shows are loved by many, but they are also an opportunity that we are not taking. Shows like Sesame Street are no longer watched as frequently as superhero shows are. How could we change the view of a scientist from a man in a lab coat? We could look at the person who developed the hoverboard. My son's favorite is the man who invented Minecraft. It is an interesting story, and they can relate to it. We have to do more to gain interest using the very things that interest students. When we make the STEM careers visual and show fields that the students enjoy, they will gravitate toward them and be more engaged.

STEM CAREERS

The incorporation of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) in the classroom is one of the most important positive science news stories to spark the media’s attention since Sputni... See More

The incorporation of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) in the classroom is one of the most important positive science news stories to spark the media’s attention since Sputnik (Froschauer, 2010). More schools are beginning to adopt and implement STEM and incorporate the aspects of this rigorous program into their curriculum. There is a new motivation emerging in education for encouraging students to become more knowledgeable when it comes to STEM. Students are beginning to have a better grasp of what they want to do in the workforce when they leave high school thanks to the implementation of the STEM curriculum being taught kindergarten through twelfth grade. There are several groups who support STEM and have agreed that this is a positive program for students. Benchmarks for Society say “It is the union of science, mathematics, and technology that forms the scientific endeavor and that makes it so successful” (Froschauer, 2010, p. 6). The National Science Education Standards said “This standard emphasis developing the ability to design a solution to a problem and understanding the relationship of science and technology the way people are involved in both” (Froschauer, 2010, p.6) Prominent people such as former President Obama are strong supports of STEM education. The formal goals of helping students solve problem through STEM based activities have been identified as an important focus for over ten years (Froschauer, 2010). Before this most recent break out of STEM over the last few years, there was a lack of science, technology, engineering, and math. Teachers have been focused on teaching to the test. Most of these core educational goals have been pushed to the side as teachers have concentrated on content standards and inquiry (Froschauer, 2010). Little emphasis, until now, has been geared towards teachers becoming the facilitators and the students taking ownership of their own learning. STEM is an opportunity to bring about a positive change in education. A positive change that can a child can carry from kindergarten to the work force. Incorporating stem in my own classroom can provide students opportunities they would not be given in a normal classroom setting. Applying STEM allows students to link science, technology, engineering, and math in a creative and innovative way (Froschauer, 2010). I think this article gives hopes to educators because it is something that is manageable. Adding STEM does require planning but once you get started, the sky is the limit. Teachers are becoming more of the facilitator and the students are taking more ownership of their own learning. We need to educate students and celebrate inventors, explorers, and creators in our society. They can serve as role models for students and provide them with enthusiasm for considering STEM. Maybe then we will find students interested in developing a deep understanding and appreciation for STEM and perhaps dedicating their lives to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics professions. As a classroom teacher of over 60 students, I have the opportunity to facilitate student learning and help students strive to become life-long learners through STEM education. This article is helpful and hopeful for many teachers that what they do in the classroom can have a positive effect on students as they choose a career path. Resources: Linda Froschauer. STEM Careers. (2010). Editor’s Note. Retrieved from file:///D:/Fall%20Session%202018/ED%20824%20D2/Article%20Review%20Discussion%20Week%206.pdf