What is STEM, and why is it important?
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (commonly abbreviated as “STEM”) are the four classic academic disciplines essential to innovation and to our country’s economic success.
The United States has fallen far behind other global leaders in the STEM fields. Fewer students are pursuing STEM fields and there are not enough teachers skilled to teach those subjects.
President Obama set a priority of increasing the number of students and teachers who are proficient in these vital fields. “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 that world.”
“The quality of math and science teachers is the most important single factor influencing whether students will succeed or fail in science, technology, engineering and math,” President Obama said. “Passionate educators with issue expertise can make all the difference, enabling hands-on learning that truly engages students—including girls and underrepresented minorities—and preparing them to tackle the grand challenges of the 21st century such as increasing energy independence, improving people’s health, protecting the environment, and strengthening national security.”
Advocates of STEM consider these steps to be fundamental to America’s future success:
- STEM education must be elevated as a national priority.
- Our nation’s future economic prosperity is closely linked with student success in the STEM fields.
- The U.S. must expand the capacity and diversity of the STEM workforce pipeline.
- Policymakers at every level must be informed about policy issues related to STEM education.
- Effective policies to promote STEM education should be bipartisan and evidence-based.
http://www.stemedcoalition.org