STEM education is an integrated learning approach in which students hone their problem-solving skills with the help of math and science.
Logical and scientific reasoning are greatly enhanced by a STEM education, something that’s crucial not only in passing exams, but also in solving real-world problems at work, in the community, and even in everyday life.
For example, having knowledge of chemistry helps students understand potentially hazardous chemical reactions at home. Case in point: a STEM student would know that mixing ammonia and bleach will produce highly toxic and dangerous gasses known as chloramines.
Aside from the technical and scientific knowledge that STEM education can provide, it also teaches crucial future skills. These include teamwork, communication, problem-solving, being receptive to constructive criticism, objective and evidence-based judgment, and initiative.
Who are STEM students?
STEM students are those who pursue specialized academic tracks focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
STEM students typically pursue college degrees that are related to specialized STEM subjects. Students may pursue engineering courses like civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. Some may choose to pursue pure science courses like botany, analytical chemistry, paleontology, geology, archeology, or physics.
STEM students are trained and prepared to be technical experts in various fields of scientific endeavors. They are taught to become innovators and inventors at an early age. For instance, there are advanced STEM curricula for elementary and high school students that teach robotics. Robotics requires knowledge of mechanical devices like actuators, knowledge about electronics, and skills in computer programming. A strong foundation in mathematics, logic, and physics is necessary to understand robotics.
Why is STEM education important for the future?
STEM education is important for the future because of the increasing use and complexity of technology. Although using technology as end users is relatively easy - for example, you don’t need to know the details of the circuit board in your mobile phone to use it - manufacturing, maintaining, and innovating technology requires highly skilled and knowledgeable scientists and engineers.
Our modern global civilization is dependent on multi-tiered technological infrastructure. The complexity of this infrastructure makes it almost impossible to be understood by just a single person. It requires teams of experts who are employed by either private corporations or by the government.
For instance, our electricity involves multiple power plants connected into a grid system. It requires technically trained personnel and engineers to operate. The distribution lines require regular inspection and maintenance, from large power stations to street level.
However, the real challenge for our civilization in the near future, or even now, is the increasing dependency on automation and artificial intelligence. Many jobs are disappearing because of automation as we approach technological singularity. There is also the fear of the rise of a superintelligent global A.I. that can pose existential threat to our species as the dominant intelligence on this planet.
The threat of climate change is also increasingly becoming serious. Its consequences are not only damning for our civilization, but could potentially lead to the extinction of our species. The ongoing sixth mass extinction, otherwise known as the Holocene mass extinction, is being attributed to climate change that has underlying anthropogenic causes.
STEM education prepares future scientists, engineers, and technology innovators to address the challenges of artificial intelligence, climate change, and other threats. Even if most students don’t pursue careers in science and engineering, having a largely science-literate society is essential for maintaining and improving our global civilization. It’s also key to the possible interplanetary and interstellar human colonizations.
Why is STEM important for students?
The integrated approach of STEM education is important for students in two main ways: scientific-technical training and values-driven education.
STEM teaches not only the hard skills and technical knowledge in science, it also incorporates the soft skills and values necessary for future success.
1. Develops social conscience
Science as applied in government, industries, and private corporations has a direct and important impact on the global society. It could determine the outcomes of wars or threats of war based on superiority of weapons. It could reshape the geopolitical balance of power. Similarly, the economic exploitation of natural resources has potential catastrophic consequences for our species and the planet in general.
The pitfalls of scientific and technological advancement can be avoided by integrating ethical considerations. STEM students are trained at an early age to develop a social conscience. It’s about considering the possible negative impacts of using science and technology for the common good and sustainable development.
2. Aids future careers
Not all STEM students in high school pursue careers as scientists, engineers, technology innovators, or mathematicians. STEM education opens opportunities to other careers that require problem-solving skills and innovative thinking. These include careers in anything from movie making and graphic design to computer animation, game development, and business management. The core knowledge, skills, and values inculcated in STEM education help students prepare for a wide range of careers.
3. Builds confidence
STEM students build self-confidence whenever they achieve something challenging. Confidence is developed through projects that require students to be creative, analytical, and skillful. Some may develop confidence by simply solving math word problems on the board.
STEM education also encourages cooperation among students through group projects that require the division of tasks. The proper guidance of the teachers is, of course, essential, but all of this contributes to students’ character development.
4. Develops soft skills
STEM education is not all about equations, formulas, science, and technical lessons. It’s also about developing soft or future skills. These skills are fundamentally social skills such as communication, empathy, cooperation, leadership, and initiative. Solving problems such as those in a given group project would require the collective efforts of all the members. The same is true in real-world situations at work and in the community.
What are STEM fields in education?
STEM education is focused on four general academic areas: science, technology, engineering, and math. Depending on the specialization or major, a teacher may focus on one of these areas. STEM fields in education can further be subdivided into specific subjects, such as the following:
- Computer science
- Computer graphics
- Electronics
- Mechanical engineering
- Calculus
- Trigonometry
- Analytic geometry
- Organic chemistry
- Physics
- Zoology
- Botany
- Microbiology
Summary
STEM education helps students in many ways, both on the scientific-technical side and on the soft skills side. Aside from aiding students learn important academic subjects, soft skills such as communication and teamwork are also integrated in the learning process.
Are you an educator looking for STEM resources for middle school, high school or university? Take a look at Arduino Education kits and how they can support your hands-on STEM lessons.