Learning Team D Week 4 Presentation Assignment Classroom Handout University of Phoenix MTE 501 Amy Lindsey, Christopher Mifflin,

and Erica Priscella

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM)

According to Presidents Council Of Advisors On Science And Technology (2010), The success of the United States in the 21st centuryits wealth and welfarewill depend on the ideas and skills of its Population
STEM Education is an educational movement designed to encourage development of such skills within Americas classrooms in order to develop future workers for the nations economy, promote technological literacy and aid the success of individuals and our nation. Background Providing STEM content in the classroom benefits the US by providing a workforce that is capable of keeping up with other nations in technical fields. How STEM education is taught and presented in the classrooms will determine the success of this important trend. STEM education has an effect on school systems felt by the teachers, students and the community. In the report, Preparing the Future Workforce: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Policy in K-12 Education, Anneliese Dickman and her colleagues discuss the practical aspects of STEM education (2010). Schools focusing on science, technology, engineering and math will help students be successful in todays world. Teachers, funding, accountability, and students are effected when schools are applying the fundamental concepts of STEM curriculum.

Teachers Qualified teachers are needed to teach math and science effectively in the classroom. Providing inspiration and using tools appropriately will lead to success in the STEM content areas. Teachers need professional development goals specific to STEM educational goals. Support, incentives and promotional opportunities will increase retention of these highly qualified STEM teachers. Funding Funding for programs, tools, and educational opportunities will be difficult in these hard economic times. The opportunities for grants and scholarships are abundant. Collaboration within communities will be a vital means of funding for the STEM classrooms. Local and district school boards will have to make STEM content a priority for funding needs. Accountability If the STEM curriculum is to have an impact on our nations ability to be competitive in the workplace, accountability measures must be in place. Strengthening accountability through the Common Core Initiative will enable teachers to teach fewer and clearer standards. These assessments will be aligned with workforce needs. Students The biggest factor in the STEM trend is student motivation. To create interest and excitement, teachers must spark motivation for STEM classes. Students should be exposed to this curriculum early in their school career. A focus on critical thinking and problem solving skills will be needed

for these programs to be successful. A goal within this education curriculum trend is for the gender and racial gap to close in the STEM careers. Students should be exposed to career opportunities in these fields early and often.

References:

Hickman, A., Schwabe, A., Schmidt, J., Henken, R., & Public Policy, F. (2009). Preparing the Future Workforce: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Policy in K-12 Education. Public Policy Forum Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology/ostp/pcast. (2010). Retrieved from http://whitehouse.gov/ostp/pcas