By Elaine J. Hom, Daisy Dobrijevic
published
STEM education, now also know as STEAM, is a multi-discipline approach to teaching.
Jump to:
- Importance of STEAM education
- STEAM blended learning
- Inequalities in STEAM
- Additional resources
- Bibliography
STEM education is a teaching approach that combines science, technology, engineering and math. Its recent successor, STEAM, also incorporates the arts, which have the "ability to expand the limits of STEM education and application," according to Stem Education Guide (opens in new tab). STEAM is designed to encourage discussions and problem-solving among students, developing both practical skills and appreciation for collaborations, according to the Institution for Art Integration and STEAM (opens in new tab).
Rather than teach the five disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEAM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.
According to the U.S. Department of Education (opens in new tab) "In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it's more important than ever that our nation's youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions."
In 2009, the Obama administration announced the "Educate to Innovate (opens in new tab)" campaign to motivate and inspire students to excel in STEAM subjects. This campaign also addresses the inadequate number of teachers skilled to educate in these subjects.
The Department of Education now offers a number of STEM-based programs (opens in new tab), including research programs with a STEAM emphasis, STEAM grant selection programs and general programs that support STEAM education.
In 2020, the U.S. Department of Education awarded $141 million in new grants and $437 million to continue existing STEAM projects a breakdown of grants can be seen in their investment report (opens in new tab).
The importance of STEM and STEAM education
(opens in new tab)
STEAM education is crucial to meet the needs of a changing world. According to an article from iD Tech (opens in new tab), millions of STEAM jobs remain unfilled in the U.S., therefore efforts to fill this skill gap are of great importance. According to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (opens in new tab) there is a projected growth of STEAM-related occupations of 10.5% between 2020 and 2030 compared to 7.5% in non-STEAM-related occupations. The median wage in 2020 was also higher in STEAM occupations ($89,780) compared to non-STEAM occupations ($40,020).
Between 2014 and 2024, employment in computer occupations is projected to increase by 12.5 percent between 2014 and 2024, according to a STEAM occupation report (opens in new tab). With projected increases in STEAM-related occupations, there needs to be an equal increase in STEAM education efforts to encourage students into these fields otherwise the skill gap will continue to grow.
STEAM jobs do not all require higher education or even a college degree. Less than half of entry-level STEAM jobs require a bachelor's degree or higher, according to skills gap website Burning Glass Technologies (opens in new tab). However, a four-year degree is incredibly helpful with salary — the average advertised starting salary for entry-level STEAM jobs with a bachelor's requirement was 26 percent higher than jobs in the non-STEAM fields.. For every job posting for a bachelor's degree recipient in a non-STEAM field, there were 2.5 entry-level job postings for a bachelor's degree recipient in a STEAM field.
STEAM blended learning
What separates STEAM from traditional science and math education is the blended learning environment and showing students how the scientific method can be applied to everyday life. It teaches students computational thinking and focuses on the real-world applications of problem-solving. As mentioned before, STEAM education begins while students are very young:
Elementary school — STEAM education focuses on the introductory level STEAM courses, as well as awareness of the STEAM fields and occupations. This initial step provides standards-based structured inquiry-based and real-world problem-based learning, connecting all four of the STEAM subjects. The goal is to pique students' interest into them wanting to pursue the courses, not because they have to. There is also an emphasis placed on bridging in-school and out-of-school STEAM learning opportunities.
Related stories:
– Best microscopes for kids 2022
– What is a scientific theory?
– Science experiments for kids
Middle school — At this stage, the courses become more rigorous and challenging. Student awareness of STEAM fields and occupations is still pursued, as well as the academic requirements of such fields. Student exploration of STEAM-related careers begins at this level, particularly for underrepresented populations.
High school — The program of study focuses on the application of the subjects in a challenging and rigorous manner. Courses and pathways are now available in STEAM fields and occupations, as well as preparation for post-secondary education and employment. More emphasis is placed on bridging in-school and out-of-school STEAM opportunities.
Much of the STEAM curriculum is aimed toward attracting underrepresented populations. There is a significant disparity in the female to male ratio when it comes to those employed in STEAM fields, according to Stem Women (opens in new tab). Approximately 1 in 4 STEAM graduates is female.
(opens in new tab)
Inequalities in STEAM education
Ethnically, people from Black backgrounds in STEAM education in the UK have poorer degree outcomes and lower rates of academic career progression compared to other ethnic groups, according to a report from The Royal Society (opens in new tab). Although the proportion of Black students in STEAM higher education has increased over the last decade, they are leaving STEAM careers at a higher rate compared to other ethnic groups.
"These reports highlight the challenges faced by Black researchers, but we also need to tackle the wider inequalities which exist across our society and prevent talented people from pursuing careers in science." President of the Royal Society, Sir Adrian Smith said.
Asian students typically have the highest level of interest in STEAM. According to the Royal Society report in 2018/19 18.7% of academic staff in STEAM were from ethnic minority groups, of these groups 13.2% were Asian compared to 1.7% who were Black.
Additional resources
If you want to learn more about why STEAM is so important check out this informative article from the University of San Diego (opens in new tab). Explore some handy STEAM education teaching resources courtesy of the Resilient Educator (opens in new tab). Looking for tips to help get children into STEAM? Forbes (opens in new tab) has got you covered.
Bibliography
- Lee, Meggan J., et al. 'If you aren't White, Asian or Indian, you aren't an engineer': racial microaggressions in STEM education. (opens in new tab)" International Journal of STEM Education 7.1 (2020): 1-16.
- STEM Occupations: Past, Present, And Future (opens in new tab). Stella Fayer, Alan Lacey, and Audrey Watson. A report. 2017.
- Institution for Art Integration and STEAM (opens in new tab) What is STEAM education?
- Barone, Ryan, 'The state of STEM education told through 18 stats (opens in new tab)', iD Tech.
- U.S. Department of Education, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, including Computer Science. (opens in new tab)
- 'STEM sector must step up and end unacceptable disparities in Black staff (opens in new tab)', The Royal Society. A report, March 25, 2021.
- 'Percentages of Women in STEM Statistics' Stemwomen.com (opens in new tab)
Elaine J. Hom
Live Science Contributor
More about technology
Latest
FAQs
What is STEM and why is it important? ›
STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math. These four fields share an emphasis on innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking. And together they make up a popular and fast-growing industry. Most STEM workers use computers and other technology in their day-to-day jobs.
How would you define STEM education? ›STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through STEM, students develop key skills including: problem solving. creativity.
Why do you think a STEM education is important for the students? ›STEM-based education teaches children more than science and mathematics concepts. The focus on hands-on learning with real-world applications helps develop a variety of skill sets, including creativity and 21st-century skills.
Why is an education in STEM important and who is it for? ›STEM subjects are important in schools because they serve as the fertile ground from which future technical workers and industry leaders will be nurtured. STEM subjects provide the intellectual foundations and tools for future scientists, inventors, and engineers.
Why is STEM important to society? ›STEM is incredibly important for our rising generation because it provides relevant and real-world exposure to important math, science, technology, and engineering concepts, while also preparing kids for the future needs of our society.
Is STEM education worth it? ›STEM education at the elementary or high school level is definitely worth it because of the cumulative nature of STEM subjects. A grounding in STEM subjects offers a broader array of career choices for developing personalities than an education in purely non-STEM subjects.
What is the full meaning of STEM? ›So what exactly does the acronym STEM stand for? STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Discussion of STEM-related programs has become a presidential priority because too few college students are pursuing degrees in these fields.
What is the definition of STEM mean? ›a central part of something from which other parts can develop or grow, or which forms a support.
What is a STEM answer? ›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.
How can STEM shape the future? ›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%.
How do you promote STEM education? ›
How Can Parents and Teachers Encourage STEM? Engaging in a diverse set of projects and activities best encourages passion and curiosity for STEM. Hands-on experiences, strong role models, and exciting problems motivate children to want to learn and grow.
How is STEM education different? ›STEM education is a teaching approach that combines science, technology, engineering and math. Its recent successor, STEAM, also incorporates the arts, which have the "ability to expand the limits of STEM education and application," according to Stem Education Guide (opens in new tab).
What makes a good STEM? ›Effective STEM learning requires you to analyze information, evaluate designs, reflect on your thinking, synthesize new ideas, and propose creative solutions. All of these skills are vital to becoming an independent, critical thinker.
Did you know facts about STEM? ›STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. STEM represents a unique set of interlinked subjects used in a variety of fields. STEM education is a common focus on elementary and secondary school curriculums as we've seen the benefits kids have learning these fields.
What is STEM essay? ›Essay topics. General Overview. A STEM education essay is a good chance to research and reflect on the career opportunities opened by such an educational path, including by looking at a specific professional domain.
Is STEM really the best career choice? ›Going into STEM isn't just a great way to get a job. It's also a way to get a high paying job. Studies have shown that 63 percent of people with a degree in STEM-related work get paid more than someone with a bachelor's degree in anything else.
Is there an advantage to having a STEM career? ›If you choose to pursue a major in a STEM field, you can expect plenty of job availability and continuing job growth, a high salary, diversity in the classroom and workplace, flexibility, job satisfaction, and the opportunity to make an important impact on society.
Who Started STEM education? ›The acronym "STEM", originally coined as an education term by the National Science Foundation in the early 2000s, refers to four educational subject disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
How do you say STEM? ›How To Say Stem - YouTube
What do I need to know about STEM strand? ›Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are intertwining disciplines when applied in the real world. The difference of the STEM curriculum with the other strands and tracks is the focus on advanced concepts and topics.
What is a stem in a sentence? ›
A sentence stem is the beginning of a sentence. Think of the stem of a plant. It's not the whole plant, just the beginning of it. It helps students get their sentence started.
Which is an example of stem? ›Examples are celery, asparagus, kohlrabi, rhubarb and turmeric. This is a video developed by vegetables.co.nz presenting the vegetables category, stems.
What is the stem part of a word? ›Definition: A stem is the root or roots of a word, together with any derivational affixes, to which inflectional affixes are added. Discussion: A stem consists minimally of a root, but may be analyzable into a root plus derivational morphemes.
Where does it stem from mean? ›Meaning of stem from something in English
to start or develop as the result of something: Her problems stem from her difficult childhood. Their disagreement stemmed from a misunderstanding.
Decumbent: stems that lie flat on the ground and turn upwards at the ends. Fruticose: stems that grow shrublike with woody like habit. Herbaceous: non woody, they die at the end of the growing season. Internode: an interval between two successive nodes.
› news › february ›Why Is STEM Education So Important? | Engineering For Kids
What Does STEM Stand For?
The Importance of STEM: A Review of STEM for Kids and Teens
STEM is an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
What do kids learn from STEM? ›In an era when technical and scientific skills are increasingly important in the work force, exposing children to STEM learning in the early years is key. Just as important, STEM learning is fun! It fosters important skills like critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity.
Is STEM hard in high school? ›Being a STEM student is not easy, it requires a lot efforts, patience, and dedications.
Why is STEM important in early years? ›STEM is part of what children's do, see and experience in their everyday lives, and their wider world. STEM teaching fits in with best early years practice and pedagogy as the roots of the approach involves developing problem-solving, curiosity, creative, collaborative, communication and critical thinking.
What is a STEM in a sentence? ›
A sentence stem is the beginning of a sentence. Think of the stem of a plant. It's not the whole plant, just the beginning of it. It helps students get their sentence started.
What is a STEM statement? ›Stem statements are an acknowledgement that a person is permitted to have their own feelings. They may not match yours but they are each individual's emotion. Acknowledgement by others that we have a right to have that feeling right or wrong helps to take the sting out of the situation and a return to calm.
Which is an example of STEM? ›Examples are celery, asparagus, kohlrabi, rhubarb and turmeric. This is a video developed by vegetables.co.nz presenting the vegetables category, stems.
How can STEM shape the future? ›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%.
Is STEM good for children? ›Steam inhalation isn't advised for children due to the risk of burns. In fact, one study found that most people who received burns from steam inhalation therapy were children. However, you can have your child sit in a steamy bathroom while you run hot water in the shower for a similar effect.
Did you know facts about STEM? ›STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. STEM represents a unique set of interlinked subjects used in a variety of fields. STEM education is a common focus on elementary and secondary school curriculums as we've seen the benefits kids have learning these fields.
Why do people take STEM? ›STEM education gives people skills that make them more employable and ready to meet the current labor demand. It encompasses the whole range of experiences and skills. Each STEM component brings a valuable contribution to a well-rounded education. Science gives learners an in-depth understanding of the world around us.
Is STEM more math? ›Mathematics is critical to the study of any STEM subject; indeed, historically the development of science, technology, engineering and mathematics has often gone hand in hand. The scientist or engineer needs to embrace mathematics in order to get the most from their studies.
Why is STEM important in elementary? ›Instead, an elementary STEM curriculum aims to help students develop basic skills that apply to many parts of life, not just technology and engineering careers. STEM projects provide unique opportunities for students to practice critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration, among other skills.
How do you promote stems in early childhood? ›Educators can foster STEM learning by role-modelling genuine interest, actively participating and allowing children to create their learning journeys. Educators can become the lab assistants for the little scientists! Providing a rich learning environment is important to help stimulate explorations and discussions.