STEM Standards of Practice guide STEM instruction by defining the combination of behaviors, integrated with STEM content, which is expected of a proficient STEM student. These behaviors include engagement in inquiry, logical reasoning, collaboration, and investigation.
In order to have a competitive edge in a globalized high tech marketplace, science, technology, engineering and marketing are important.
The national and state educational policymakers renewed efforts and began to a program to improve the literacy of students in these crucial areas. This program is what is known as the STEM initiative. The point of the initiative is to blend technology and daily teaching methods while focusing on mathematics, applied sciences and engineering.
The STEM Initiative In Practice
Many public schools had already started to focus on science and mathematics. Schools involved in STEM used a variety of approaches like smaller classes and one to one student/computer ratios along with incorporating inquiry based teaching so as to provide the students with better knowledge of these subjects.
Some schools used video conferencing electronic text books and Skype as part of the learning process.
Students who did well were offered scholarships to college and given the chance to work in STEM related industries after graduation.
Benefits Of The STEM Initiative
Because of the government’s involvement, becoming a STEM designated school means access to financial resources. The specific criterion is different by state and the rules of STEM must be followed though each state has their own approach. New schools have come up based on STEM but some of the older ones are starting to adjust their curriculum so as to join the STEM initiative.
Summer camps have also been made around this idea, with math and tech camps being opened all around the country.
STEM has standards of practice that are divided into 7. These are,
- Learn and Apply Rigorous Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Content
- Integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Content
- Interpret and Communicate STEM Information
- Engage in Inquiry
- Engage in Logical Reasoning
- Collaborate as a STEM Team
- Apply Technology Appropriately
Arguments Against The STEM Initiative
The program has gained a lot of support but there are some people who feel that concentrating on these subjects will lead to a neglect of the others and therefore teaching students that they are not very important.While it is not debatable that the jobs of the future will require technologically advanced workers, it may end up creating more workers that there are jobs.Working in the STEM field will earn you $73,523 a year, compared to $39,648 for workers in non-STEM fields. With growth in aerospace, manufacturing, energy technology and health, future generations will depend on skills in science, technology, engineering and Math. The STEM initiative is without a doubt an important factor in our children’s lives.
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