stem
science, technology, engineering, & Math
"SCIENCE IS MORE THAN A SCHOOL SUBJECT, OR THE PERIODIC TABLE, OR THE PROPERTIES OF WAVES. IT IS AN APPROACH TO THE WORLD, A CRITICAL WAY TO UNDERSTAND AND EXPLORE AND ENGAGE WITH THE WORLD, AND THEN HAVE THE CAPACITY TO CHANGE THE WORLD..."
- PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, MARCH 23, 2015
According to the US Department of Education, the United States is ranked 29th in math and science among industrialized nations. This tells us that there is a severe need for quality STEM education. The main problem facing our public schools is the lack of access to STEM education. Steps are being taken to create an equitable distribution of quality STEM learning opportunities and talented teachers that can make sure that all students have the chance to meet their full potential. President Obama "has called on the nation to develop, recruit, and retain 100,000 excellent STEM teachers over the next 10 years." The plan to obtain these goals is going to require new and repurposed funds. The implementation of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is another important step towards a more STEM centered educational model.
|
There is an immediate need for standards that bring United States students up to par with other economically superior nations. As seen from the graph above, by 2020 the availability of STEM jobs will increase dramatically. The Next Generation Science Standards are the first step in preparing our students for the future work force. According to the NGSS website, the need for these new standards is based on a variety of economic and societal issues. The lagging achievement of our students is a major issue. Our students are not meeting students of other nations in their academic success. The US is also falling behind in our competitive economic edge. Another driving force behind the NGSS is to prepare students for the modern workforce. An educated society is scientifically and technologically literate.
|
|