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Stem

STEM: What is it?

  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
  • Program started by Judith A. Ramaley, former director of the National Science Foundation’s education and human-resources division.
  • Designed to revolutionize the teaching of subject areas such as mathematics and science by incorporating technology and engineering into regular curriculum by creating a “meta-discipline.”
  • More on STEM in education

STEM: More than 4 subjects

  • STEM Education attempts to transform the typical teacher-centered classroom by encouraging a curriculum that is driven by problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning, and requires students to actively engage a situation in order to find its solution.
  • The science, engineering, and mathematics fields are made complete by the technology component that provides a creative and innovative way to problem solve and apply what has been learned.

STEM: Why is it important

  • All students benefit from the STEM program because it teaches independent innovation and allows students to explore greater depths of all of the subjects by utilizing the skills learned; these skills are going to be required in order for today’s students to be tomorrow’s global leaders.
  • STEM is the big education “buzz” word
  • STEM has business and legislative support
  • STEM is often expanded to STEAM (for “Arts”) (so there is potential to also include WLs)

STEM: How does the STARTALK Russian Student Program focus on it?