There’s a lot of buzz around STEM right now, and you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. It’s true that technology and engineering jobs are on the rise, but does every student really need to learn STEM skills?
As it turns out, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is uniquely suited to prepare students for success. Here are five reasons to focus on STEM education in 2023.
1. STEM Jobs are the Future of Our Economy
A robust STEM education is becoming more and more important to our economy. Employment in STEM occupations is projected to grow 8.8% by 2028, and healthcare occupations, which generally require a strong STEM background, are projected to grow even more. Meanwhile, non-STEM occupations will only grow 5%.
What’s more, jobs that require a STEM background are more likely to provide solid wages. STEM workers earned an average of $86,980 in 2019, according to the United States Department of Labor.
2. STEM Teaches Critical Thinking and Innovation
However, STEM education doesn’t only help students who plan to go into STEM careers. The focus on logical thought processes and problem-solving allows students to develop mental habits that will help them succeed in any field.
STEM coursework challenges students to think critically and come up with their own solutions. As a result, students who receive a quality STEM education are primed to become the next generation of innovators.
3. STEM Classes Provide Unique Opportunities for Teamwork
Teamwork is one of the most underrated and important drivers of success. Living and working in the modern world usually requires some degree of collaboration, often with a large and diverse group of people.
STEM classes often involve more team activities than other coursework. Whether students are working together on a lab investigation or collaborating on an engineering challenge, they are actively developing the interpersonal and collaboration skills they will need later on.
4. A STEM Curriculum Helps Students Develop Project Management Skills
STEM courses, especially technology and engineering courses, often involve hands-on projects. Building a simple robot, engine, or computer program often involves multiple steps that are completed over several days.
In the process of STEM education, students learn how to manage their time and break larger projects into smaller steps. That’s a skill that will help them throughout their lives, whether they are working on an office project or doing a home remodel.
5. Recent Events Have Only Made Technology Skills More Important
The current pandemic has only reinforced the importance of technology. With more people turning to Zoom, Slack, and other tools to connect with family members and coworkers, it’s even more important to equip students to use and develop technology.
Even after the pandemic is over, many people and workplaces will retain some of their new technology habits. Building a strong STEM foundation now will set students up for success in 2023 and beyond.
Add Engaging STEM Modules to Your Curriculum
Yeti Academy is an all-inclusive STEM education program. We offer multiplayer coding lessons and interactive, project-based modules that can be customized for any classroom or remote learning environment. Sign up for your free account today!
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FAQs
They help your child discover real-world applications, spark their creativity and develop 21st-century skills including media and technology literacy, productivity, social skills, communication, flexibility and initiative.
Why is STEM education valuable? ›
They help your child discover real-world applications, spark their creativity and develop 21st-century skills including media and technology literacy, productivity, social skills, communication, flexibility and initiative.
Why is STEM important essay? ›
STEM education plays a crucial role in driving innovation, addressing global challenges, and fostering economic growth. By promoting critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and interdisciplinary collaboration, STEM disciplines empower individuals to create solutions that improve our world.
Why is it good to be a STEM student? ›
Critical Thinking Skills
One of the main benefits of STEM education is helping students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in any career field. It encourages students to think creatively and independently and helps them understand and apply complex concepts and ideas.
What are 3 main functions of a STEM? ›
Plant stems possess three main functions. These functions include support for the plant; providing points of attachment for leaves, flowers, fruits, and buds; transporting water, minerals, and nutrients.
Why is STEM important in everyday life? ›
By implementing STEM in education, students can understand the real-world applications of the subjects they are studying while enjoying hands-on learning and developing critical thinking skills. If you are pursuing a STEM major in college, make sure your education will prepare you to be a true innovator in your field.
Why is STEM important today? ›
STEM Fosters Important Skills
STEM education cultivates essential skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, design innovation, decision-making, digital and computational literacy, teamwork and adaptability in the next generation of STEM professionals.
What are the pros and cons of STEM education? ›
Pro: Effective STEM programs often include state-of-the-art technology and hands-on learning materials, providing a rich educational experience. Con: These programs can be resource-intensive, requiring significant funding for materials, technology, and training.
How can STEM change people's lives? ›
It motivates and inspires young people to generate new technologies and ideas. With a focus on practice and innovation, students get to learn from inquiry-based assignments. STEM education gives an understanding of concepts and encourages knowledge application.
How has STEM impacted my life? ›
STEM can help teach important life skills, especially budgeting and handling money. You can integrate mathematical skills into everyday life in a useful way. If you have younger children, look at your shopping list together.
Stems support leaves, flowers, and fruits. Stems are the main transportation routes of water from the roots to the leaves. Food made in the leaves travels through stems to the rest of the plant. Stems respond to air movement, to the shortage and surplus of nutrients and water, and they harvest sunlight.
Who is a famous STEM person? ›
Science & Math: Katherine Johnson. Technology & Engineering: Elon Musk. Technology: Mark Zuckerberg. Technology: Bill Gates.
What are two reasons why STEM classes are important? ›
STEM education goes beyond imparting knowledge; it nurtures critical thinking skills, enhances scientific literacy, and cultivates the next generation of trailblazers and problem solvers.
Who benefits from STEM education? ›
Ensuring that STEM programs are open to all learners allows for diverse student groups to see possible career futures in fields where they may not yet have role models. STEM investment also provides alternate learning opportunities for students who are differently-abled. Relates directly to job-related skills.
Why do I want to teach STEM? ›
Fostering the Next Generation of Innovators:
STEM professionals possess invaluable knowledge and practical experience in cutting-edge fields. By transitioning into teaching roles, they can inspire and mentor young minds, nurturing the innovators, problem solvers, and critical thinkers of tomorrow.
What are 3 benefits of stem cell studies? ›
Stem cells are being studied to treat type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, heart failure, osteoarthritis and other conditions. Stem cells may have the potential to be grown to become new tissue for use in transplant and regenerative medicine.
What are three 3 important uses for stem cells? ›
grow new cells in a laboratory to replace damaged organs or tissues. correct parts of organs that don't work properly. research causes of genetic defects in cells. research how diseases occur or why certain cells develop into cancer cells.
What are the three uses of stems? ›
Stems also connect the other organs of the plant. Both the leaves and roots are connected to the stem! The stem transports water and nutrients up from the roots all the way to the leaves, and the stem transports sugars from the leaves to the rest of the plant. Stems support leaves, flowers, and fruits.
What are the three points about STEM? ›
stem, in botany, the plant axis that bears buds and shoots with leaves and, at its basal end, roots. The stem conducts water, minerals, and food to other parts of the plant; it may also store food, and green stems themselves produce food.
