STEM Educational Reform

Mandy MackinTeresa Traini

What is STEM?Acronym used in the Educational World

Science

Technology

Engineering

Math

Began in 2001

Used as a way to incorporate mathematics and science into technology and engineering as well as the rest of the curriculum

Change the typical “teacher-center” classroom to a “discovery learning” setting

Hands-on, collaborative, problem-solving activities that relate to real-world problems

Strategies used to implement

STEMSince STEM is a relatively new initiative, many of the strategies used to implement it and still in the developmental stages.

Three main ways STEM has been implemented:

Professional Development

Colleges and Universities

Governmental Power/Pressure

STEM Assumptions

Students test scores will rise in science and in math.

STEM will make students more interested in STEM related careers and make them competitive for those jobs in the work-force

STEM will help students develop six key character traits that will help them solve real-world problems and be analytical thinkers. With STEM, students will become:

Problem Solvers

Innovators

Inventors

Self-Reliant

Logical Thinking

Technology Literate

STEM CritiqueTo improve STEM learning, we must strengthen the selection, preparation, and licensure of elementary school teachers.

International tests demonstrate that U.S. students have fallen behind their international peers in math and science.

-In 2003, 2006, and 2009, U.S. students scored below the average in math on the the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)

Assessment scores on Math and Science exams are dropping, however, a large amount of money has been put into STEM programs in the past few decades.

Low income students for the most part, do not have access to Math and Science instruction outside of school

Alternative Change

Strategies to STEMIncrease the selectivity of programs that

prepare teachers for elementary grades.

Implement teacher compensation policies, including performance-based pay. This could make teaching more appealing to college graduates and STEM career changers.

Include more science based classes in college education programs.

When applying for a teaching license, teachers should have to pass math and science sections of licensure based exams.

Article One DiscussionDiscovering and Developing

Diverse STEM Talent: Enabling Academically Talented Urban

Youth to FlourishWhy is the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) successful?

How do you think a school like IMSA is possible?

Could schools similar to IMSA be possible in other inner-cities?

Would a school like IMSA be successful in Baltimore City? Why or why not?

Article Two Discussion

Education Week: Latest Wave of STEM Schools Taps New

TalentMost STEM focused schools serve the top performing math and science students, how do you think a STEM school would work with low income or inner city students?

Do you think a STEM focused school is the answer to raise the American students’ math and science scores?

How is it possible for Howard County to implement STEM into schools without creating special STEM focused schools?

STEM LessonObjective- Build the tallest tower. It must be able to hold the weight of the stuffed animal for five seconds

Materials- One bag of marshmallows and one box of toothpicks

Try and see if you are incorporating all of the STEM procedures as you are working with your partner/group!!