The Importance of STEM education
The importance of STEM education cannot be understated. A study by McKinsey and Company found that “the demand for STEM-skilled workers in most industries and regions will continue to outstrip supply over the next decade, leading to a US$4 trillion economic impact globally by 2025”.
There are two main reasons why STEM education is so important. One of them is that more and more jobs are available in these fields which means they will be crucial to economic prosperity in the future. The other reason is that STEM subjects provide an understanding of how things work and it fosters innovation.
#1 Practice - Staying Current with the Latest Technology
The STEM teaching practice of staying current with the latest technology is one of the most important practices for teachers. This is because it is crucial to keep up with the latest technological innovations in order to be able to teach students about them.
Even though there are many different ways that teachers can stay up-to-date with the latest technology, one of the best ways is by using STEM tools that are currently being used in schools. Check out Exxon Mobil as PhET websites.
#2 Practice - Utilizing Inquiry-Based Learning
Inquiry-based learning is a teaching method that focuses on the process of science, rather than just the content or facts. It encourages students to ask questions and investigate their own ideas through hands-on experimentation.
The inquiry-based learning approach often involves an initial teacher-led demonstration of an experiment or scientific technique followed by student exploration and investigation.
This allows students to engage in an active dialogue about their own understanding of how science works while developing skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.
#3 Practice - Allow students to be in charge of the learning process.
Create new roles and norms that emphasize student accountability. From the sidelines, provide guidance while keeping students on track with their goals and objectives. Assist them in becoming self-sufficient learners.
#4 Practice – Connect lessons to life outside of school
It is important to show students that what they learn in school can have a connection with their lives outside of school. There are many science experiments that can be done at home or in the classroom, which will help students better understand the principles they are learning about.
Students need connections to real-life applications of concepts they are learning about. They should be able to see how what they learn in school can have a connection with their lives outside of school. There are many science experiments that can be done at home or in the classroom, which will help students better understand the principles they are learning about.
#5 Practice – Encourage curiosity
Learn how to ask open-ended questions with multiple possible answers. Instead of providing answers, pose problems and send students on a quest for solutions. Use discordant events to pique students' interest and pull them into the problem.