https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math en-us 2021-08-03 00:49:27 UTC 2021-08-04 21:26:14 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f5fb.png bw6849 https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1667227489 STEM education is important because it encourages learners to develop 21st century thinking skills. STEM education improves the collaborative process, forcing students to work in teams to solve complex problems. A quality STEM curriculum also increases social awareness, making students more aware of potential future careers that are both in-demand and high paying.]]> 2021-08-03 00:59:00 UTC https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1667227489 bw6849 https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1667233641 Skills that are developed and learned in a STEM curriculum are vitally important in Pennsylvania.  By the year 2026, there will be roughly 590,000 new jobs that require STEM skills to be filled. Also, over the next ten years, 71% of new jobs will require computer science skills. Career paths that require STEM skills have the highest statewide salary in PA, roughly around $65,000.]]> 2021-08-03 01:07:06 UTC https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1667233641 bw6849 https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1667240895 This article looks at the benefits of STEM education. Commonly cited reasons for why STEM is important are: interdisciplinary learning, 21st century skills, and resilience that moves learning forward.]]> 2021-08-03 01:15:17 UTC https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1667240895 bw6849 https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1667246507 STEM suffers from a lack of uniformity in its curriculum, particularly Technology and Engineering courses.  Another drawback of the current STEM model is that it doesn't start early enough for kids to get beyond the basics of the curriculum.  Finally, STEM can be seen as elitist, often times leaving behind students who struggle in school in favor of students who are more high achieving.]]> 2021-08-03 01:21:28 UTC https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1667246507 bw6849 https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1667252430 This article looks at the sense of elitism that is prevalent at NC State around Engineering. The general belief is that if you're not majoring in engineering you are basically wasting your time and money. This sense of elitism around STEM education is a commonly known phenomenon that plaques education, particularly higher ed.]]> 2021-08-03 01:27:13 UTC https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1667252430 bw6849 https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1667259330 This article discusses the inherent biases that are pushing women out of STEM related fields.  According to this article, women applying for  STEM careers are asked to "prove it" when being interviewed and are also expected to act more masculine in the workplace to appease the male dominated workplaces.  The article also talks about how women are discriminated against in the hiring process, asking if they intend to go out on maternity leave in the future.]]> 2021-08-03 01:34:14 UTC https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1667259330 bw6849 https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1668381633 The STEM Education Strategic Plan, a document outlining America's five year plan for the growth of STEM education, was published in December 2018. This article outlines how the United States plans to be the global leader in STEM education through STEM literacy, innovation, and employment. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has interrupted the implementation of this five year plan.]]> 2021-08-04 02:06:43 UTC https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1668381633 bw6849 https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1668390073 This article shows the United State's commitment to improving STEM education. The United States House approved an increase of budgetary spending from $940 million to $970 million dollars for the 2021 fiscal year.  Also, a proposal was made to increase support for grants relating to career and technical education, from $7 million to $90 million dollars.]]> 2021-08-04 02:16:02 UTC https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1668390073 bw6849 https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1668396354 This article looked into the public perception of American STEM education. Only 25% of adults thought that the United States had an above average STEM education, while the other 75% said it was average or below average compared to other nations.  Another study asked adults which subjects should be emphasized the most, and 3 in 10 parents say that STEM subjects are not emphasized but should be.]]> 2021-08-04 02:22:49 UTC https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1668396354 bw6849 https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1668404787 The strong majority of future jobs will require computer science skills, which begs the question "Why aren't we spending more time teaching computer science to students?" 35% of female students and 50% of male students are interested in learning computer science in school. There is a debate happening within school districts what constitutes a computer science education; is it just learning MS Word or should we be teaching coding?]]> 2021-08-04 02:31:12 UTC https://padlet.com/bw6849/eialmzkfxdnwu18n/wish/1668404787