Think Like A Scientist

STEM the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math it’s the new “buzz word” on the lips of President Obama, industry CEO’s, and educators. Thanks to Judith Ramaley,  President of Winona State University who coined the term STEM in 2001. Science and math are critical to a basic understanding of the universe, while engineering and technology are means for people to interact with the universe. STEM weaves those elements of human action and understanding into all aspects of education, Ramaley said. STEM education is transforming the way teachers teach and the way students think nationwide. Add the vowel “A” to STEM for STEAM, “A” stands for arts. Schools across the nation are incorporating the arts in their STEM programs. The integration of the arts and sciences are a natural addition to existing STEM curriculum. STEM education is where it’s at these days and will be for many years to come. School districts across the nation are jumping on the “band wagon” to incorporate STEM practices within their schools, starting with long-term meaningful STEM professional staff development for their teachers. Check out the following article  to read more about the philosophy of STEM education.

Recent advances in medicine and biotechnology have become a reality by the merging of the sciences. The new model dubbed “convergence” in which engineering and physical sciences, among other disciplines join forces with the life sciences. Convergence is not an interdisciplinary mash-up, it’s not a matter of experts coming together from different disciplines and sharing ideas. “Convergence is the result of true intellectual cross-pollination” say the authors of an MIT white paper “The Third Revolution: The Convergence of the Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Engineering.” This concept has already been in place for quite sometime in the K-12 classroom. Unifying Concepts considered the Big Ideas forms the foundation of The National Science Education Standards. Teacher training workshops which focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts  provide teachers with the opportunity to experience the interconnectedness of the STEM disciplines via hands-on-minds-on investigations. My goal when conducting STEM teacher training workshops is for teachers to connect science, technology, engineering, and math concepts to the “Big Ideas” in each of the disciplines so that their students can have the opportunity to conceptualize and experience the interconnectedness of the STEM disciplines through inquiry-based practices. For further reading see the  following article in January 5th, 2011 Inside Higher Education.