http://ojs.jstem.org/index.php?journal=JSTEM&page=article&op=view&path[]=1645&path[]=1339
STEM education refers to the integration of Science, Technology, and Mathematics. Two reports were analyzed for this article, one by the National Science Board, and another by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Techonology. The top US students scored below their peers in 29 countries on Mathematics literacy and below 12 countries on Science literacy, a clear indication that the US is lagging behind in STEM education. Only 16% of US undergrads chose majors in natural science or engineering.
PCAST's recommendations focus on bettering STEM education across the board. NSB argues that we should put a greater emphasis on identifying and developing STEM talent.
Why do you think we perform so poorly in math literacy as a nation?
Considering the economic hardships school districts are facing, how can we improve STEM education without increasing budgets?
Is it better to implement across the board initiatives in STEM education, or would it be more productive to screen students and offer STEM programs to those who show a proclivity for the material?
Good article Pam! I think Math Literacy is poor in our nation because its not really focused on until middle school. I am not sure how we would be able to improve STEM without increasing budgets but I do think that it would be best for those students who show a proclivity for the material to recieve STEM. I do not think it should be given to all students it could be used like a Resource room.
ReplyDeleteI think part of the issue is (like we discussed in class), the statistics are based on all students in America vs. the best and the brightest in the other countries. With that being said, as someone who cringes at the thought of math there is somethings that have to change. I think things like the Kahn Academy are a good resource for our students to work on their weaknesses. The thing about math is it is the same language in every country, we just have to figure out how to make our students understand that language.
ReplyDeleteI think probably one of the reasons that we perform poorly as a nation in the area of math is that a particular topic in math or a portion of the topic is taught one year and then it is a different topic the following year And that they don't continously review every topic year after year. For example here in America we would take biology one year , then Chemistry then Physics, and same thing with math. However in places like India they would have Biology , Chemistry , Physics every year and same for math.
ReplyDeleteIf programs are in place to determine which students show proclivity it could be effective. But there should also be programs designed to help others to get to that understanding of the topic as well.
I think Alanna makes a great point that these statistics are skewed because it is our general population vs. the best in the world. However, I am also someone who has never liked Math or Science. Going through college everyone said to go the route of math and science because we need math and science teachers. That tells me that the general population doesn't enjoy math and/or science. However, with STEM, if we effectively incorporate technology into those subjects, we could perhaps engage more learners and begin competing in this "international race to the top" in STEM. Would this increase budgets? Probably.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alanna, our results are skewed because we choose to education everyone in this country. Also I was never a math and science kid in high school (wasn't really an English or history kid either). However if I felt like there was more technology incorporated into the classes that may have been different for me. Even more of a hands on component.
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