NOT JUST A BUZZ WORD
In recent years STEM and STEAM are becoming increasingly popular buzz words. STEM/STEAM is not a new curriculum, but rather a method of integrating content standards to make learning experiences more relevant and purposeful for our students. The future that we prepared for when we were young students is a much different future than that which our current students are preparing for. We must equip our students with the 21st century skills they need in order to be successful in an ever-changing future work force. At the elementary level, a strong emphasis must be placed on the 4Cs (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity). These soft skills ensure our students have a combination of strengths which allow them to effectively express their ideas, efficiently work towards a common goal with others, solve unique problems, and tackle obstacles in new ways. With these skills, students become prepared for more than a single job, but rather an unknown work force. I find it fascinating that many of our students will grow up to have jobs that do not currently exist, and I'm passionate about preparing students with the skills and education they need to find success later in life.
A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS
65% of today's primary school students will end up at jobs that haven't been invented yet.
75% of the fastest growing jobs require STEM skills.
By 2018, 8 million STEM jobs will be available in the United States.
Just 1 in 4 fourth graders from low-income backgrounds are proficient in math, and just 1 in 6 are proficient in science.
US students recently finished 27th in math and 20th in science in the ranking of 34 countries.
The US ranked 48th in quality of math and science education.
75% of the fastest growing jobs require STEM skills.
By 2018, 8 million STEM jobs will be available in the United States.
Just 1 in 4 fourth graders from low-income backgrounds are proficient in math, and just 1 in 6 are proficient in science.
US students recently finished 27th in math and 20th in science in the ranking of 34 countries.
The US ranked 48th in quality of math and science education.