A Whole-School STEM Initiative is being implemented at Laing Middle School of Science and Technology in Mount Pleasant, SC. The essence of this initiative is to use STEM content throughout the curriculum to build technological literacy, and establish the real-world relevance and inter-relationships of all curriculum subjects. Distinctive features of this approach include using the engineering design process in all classes as a method for solving problems; addressing nationally recognized technological literacy standards concurrently with mandated subject-specific standards; and engaging students with cross-curricular problems and projects that involve practical applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. ReadMore
students to enter these careers. Conversations about these changes often refer to “STEM,” an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. While this acronym is increasingly well-understood, specific ideas about the details of “STEM education” are varied. For example, “STEM education” may refer to:•Individual curriculum subjects titled “science,” “engineering”, “technology,” and “mathematics” that collectively are referred to as “STEM,” but which may be taught separately with little or no integration between them; •A career cluster (analogous to “Health Care” or “Hospitality”) that includes professions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; or•Projects or activities that involve various aspects of science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics, and which may or may not be linked to specific standards.The terms “technology” and “engineering” are also problematic. In many educational settings, “technology” often refers to computers and the Internet, though many technology educators understand the term to mean “how people modify the natural world to suit their own purposes... the diverse collection of processes and knowledge that people use to extend human abilities and to satisfy human needs and wants". Similarly, “engineering” is susceptible to multiple interpretations that may include operating railway engines and fire trucks, as well as being responsible for routine cleaning of school buildings. In the United States, accurate perceptions of the engineering profession are most prevalent among those who are related to or acquainted with a professional engineer . For many STEM programs, the engineering component consists of manipulative activities that involve students with creating various artifacts, such as robots, model rockets, or trebuchets.
Comments