Technology Can Help STEM Education Flourish

By now, you’ve surely run across the acronym STEM, especially if you are pursuing or considering a career in education. STEM represents fields of study in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Among the STEM disciplines are: computer science; biochemistry; robotics; engineering; environmental research and instructional technology. Although STEM occupations represent a relatively small portion of overall employment – about 6% in 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Labor – projections call for them to grow significantly as the global economy becomes more complex. Employers will seek workers who are adaptable problem-solvers and creative thinkers, in addition to possessing advanced technical skills. STEM professions also tend to be higher-paying careers. In 2009, the average yearly salary for all STEM jobs in the United States was almost $78,000, nearly $35,000 more than the average for all occupations, the federal Labor Department reported. For these reasons, educators worldwide are increasingly seeking to nurture interest in STEM subjects in the early grades. In the United States, there is concern that youngsters are falling behind their peers globally in STEM advances, which could make the nation less competitive. In a 2010 report, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology called for a dual-pronged strategy for improving the nation’s K-12 educational system: ensure youngsters have a solid footing in STEM subjects; and motive them to pursue STEM subjects and careers. “STEM education will determine whether the United States will remain a leader among nations and whether we will be able to solve immense challenges in such areas as energy, health, environmental protection, and national security,” the report noted. While younger students typically show interest in STEM subjects, their engagement level often wanes as they move through high school and into college. According to the President’s Council, just 40% of high school students who are interested in STEM subjects pursue a related major in college. An estimated 60% of those students eventually move into a non-STEM field of study. So, how can educators keep students interested in STEM subjects? One area of promise may be found in the flourishing role of technology in the classroom. Overhead projectors, chalkboards, and VCRs are rapidly being replaced by interactive whiteboards, e-readers, tablets and other mobile devices. Teachers are now able to tap into technology’s immense potential to work with students on different levels and according to their individual learning needs. Podcasts, web cams, and live chats are second nature for many of today’s youngsters, the so-called “digital natives” who are growing up in the Internet age. Not only can digital technology help students reach their full potential, it can also serve to inspire youngsters to study the same STEM disciplines that produced these technical innovations. Simply put, signs of STEM can be found in every aspect of modern life, particularly our education system. Smart teachers and administrators will spotlight youngsters’ interest in how these technologies work and encourage their students to look into related careers. For example, schools districts nationwide are partnering with tech firms to coordinate STEM contests, such as robotics competitions and other extra-curricular opportunities for students. “STEM education is most successful when students develop personal connections with the ideas and excitement of STEM fields,” the President’s Council report noted. “Information and computation technology can be a powerful driving force for innovation in education, by improving the quality of instructional materials available to teachers and students."