Ever since the Industrial Revolution began, the United States has been improving its technology. Initially, the inventions and improvements merely made farming and manufacturing more efficient. Later, the quickly-advancing technologies demanded a new career field to continue the technological advancement, maintain the technology already created, and solve society’s problems. With this career field came a new need for science, technology, engineering, and math education. Teachers successfully taught students general information required in this field in order to prepare them for their future. With this said, the success of this type of education has deteriorated. In 2012, for instance, “U.S. students demonstrated higher mathematical literacy
…show more content…
First of all, teachers must be “talented” and “knowledgeable” in STEM education (Duncan 1). This means that schools must put the knowledge of a teacher above any other skill they possess. Communication skills, for instance, cannot be used to teach calculus without a knowledge of the subject. In addition, the process of teaching must change. Students cannot merely be taught ideas and facts that they need to memorize. According to Schweingruber, “Students should be able to take the knowledge and skills learned in one context and apply them in another” (4). This is crucial due to the fact that engineers and scientists will go on to solve some of society’s most complex issues. Arne Duncan also explains that students in an ideal STEM education program are “developing a mindset that affirms they can use inquiry and their own logic to reach new conclusions and tackle tough problems” (1). Lastly, it is crucial “to inspire children, starting in preschool, to be lifelong learners in STEM” (Duncan 1). In order to accomplish this, teachers have the ability to assign exciting chemistry labs or teach students how to apply math to something they are interested in. It seems to be a childish requirement for the program, but developing a desire to learn will impact the rest of a child’s life. Improving these aspects of STEM education will create many citizens who are able to succeed in their STEM …show more content…
In 2011, for instance, “foreign students earned 56% of all engineering doctorates” (Mitts 33). This is an indication of their earlier educational experiences that prepared them for college. America cannot take this lightly, because the whole world is now competing for everything. The country with the best STEM students will receive the best STEM careers. Therefore, American jobs will be taken by more prepared foreign citizens. This will cause the United States’ economy to plummet. In addition to a lack of jobs, an unsatisfactory STEM education program will result in a lower view of America as a whole. This will not only affect America’s relations with other nations regarding trade and alliances, but also the respect it receives. It is time for America to open its eyes and make a change in its education system. The United States must maintain its global
First of all, teachers must be “talented” and “knowledgeable” in STEM education (Duncan 1). This means that schools must put the knowledge of a teacher above any other skill they possess. Communication skills, for instance, cannot be used to teach calculus without a knowledge of the subject. In addition, the process of teaching must change. Students cannot merely be taught ideas and facts that they need to memorize. According to Schweingruber, “Students should be able to take the knowledge and skills learned in one context and apply them in another” (4). This is crucial due to the fact that engineers and scientists will go on to solve some of society’s most complex issues. Arne Duncan also explains that students in an ideal STEM education program are “developing a mindset that affirms they can use inquiry and their own logic to reach new conclusions and tackle tough problems” (1). Lastly, it is crucial “to inspire children, starting in preschool, to be lifelong learners in STEM” (Duncan 1). In order to accomplish this, teachers have the ability to assign exciting chemistry labs or teach students how to apply math to something they are interested in. It seems to be a childish requirement for the program, but developing a desire to learn will impact the rest of a child’s life. Improving these aspects of STEM education will create many citizens who are able to succeed in their STEM …show more content…
In 2011, for instance, “foreign students earned 56% of all engineering doctorates” (Mitts 33). This is an indication of their earlier educational experiences that prepared them for college. America cannot take this lightly, because the whole world is now competing for everything. The country with the best STEM students will receive the best STEM careers. Therefore, American jobs will be taken by more prepared foreign citizens. This will cause the United States’ economy to plummet. In addition to a lack of jobs, an unsatisfactory STEM education program will result in a lower view of America as a whole. This will not only affect America’s relations with other nations regarding trade and alliances, but also the respect it receives. It is time for America to open its eyes and make a change in its education system. The United States must maintain its global