If you’re thinking of a career path, you’ve probably already heard of the benefits of STEM education. This educational approach helps students develop critical thinking skills, technology literacy, and self-esteem, among other benefits. STEM education is also future-proof: robots will still need to be programmed, and society will always need new technology. Ultimately, it will be a better world for everyone if every child has the opportunity to study STEM.
STEM education promotes problem-solving
Students are encouraged to participate in STEM education through annual competitions. In addition to submitting their work, students can participate individually or in groups to develop a new invention, solution, or system. STEM lessons also foster problem-solving skills and promote collaborative thinking. For example, a school may organize a competition that involves underwater robotics. The competition will engage students in problem-solving activities through real-world applications.
Hands-on learning and physical experiences are crucial for children in the STEM fields. When children work with their hands, areas of the brain are activated that are not activated by just listening to facts. This makes doing something that much more effective. Because STEM subjects are hands-on, students can dive into lessons and complete investigations without the assistance of a teacher. Learning by doing is essential for creativity, innovation, and success.
It fosters critical thinking
A recent study explored how STEM and Project Based Learning can help students develop critical thinking skills. Students were divided into nine groups, each with a set of worksheets that focused on their initial knowledge of wastewater. Critical thinking processes were explored by exploring the concept of point of view, selection of information, implication, and design. Each group was then asked to create tools to clean up wastewater. Students had multiple chances to design the most effective wastewater treatment tools.
STEM subjects are designed to foster critical thinking, since they involve challenges that challenge students to apply their knowledge. They also provide opportunities for students to tap into their creativity. For example, STEM programs present students with follow-up questions about the methods they used. Students are also encouraged to apply critical thinking skills in solving problems. STEM programs promote a critical thinking mindset as a necessary skill for STEM success. They also encourage students to think critically about problems and to make informed decisions.
It develops technology literacy
There are many challenges to promoting technology literacy in STEM education. While significant efforts have been made in the past to promote a shared understanding of this concept, it may be too late. The field should be inclusive of diverse representations of technology literacy, encourage collaboration and focus on their unique contributions to building technology literacy in general education. But how do we get there? Here are a few tips. Here’s a primer on STEM education and technology literacy.
First, let’s define technology literacy. Technology literacy is defined as a student’s ability to use, manage, assess, and understand technologies. We asked STEM informants to define the concept. We categorized the responses based on common themes and the importance they place on technological literacy. As a result, we are able to define and describe technological literacy across a variety of fields. These definitions and examples will be discussed further in the following sections.
It boosts self-esteem
In a recent study, scientists found that STEM Education significantly improved students’ self-concept, a critical element in self-esteem. Students were asked to describe two or three STEM fields, with the percentage of women in each one grouped accordingly. Students were also asked to rate their parents’ occupations, which were then classified into STEM fields. They were also asked about their parents’ motivation for wanting their children to pursue STEM careers. Self-concept in STEM subjects was measured using four items on a five-point Likert scale, and higher values indicated a higher level of self-esteem.
Girls are equally capable of achieving in STEM fields. This is because boys’ confidence levels in math, science, and engineering fields are similar until the hormones estrogen and testosterone flood the brains of girls. Girls tend to worry more about grades than boys, and they have an erroneous notion that STEM is not for them. However, if girls develop high self-esteem in STEM fields, they will become confident young women who aren’t intimidated by academic failures.
