In the early half of the 21st Century, STEM became a generic word for teachers and educators worldwide. We have known the importance of science, engineering and mathematics since the renaissance. However, as the world became more complex and more technology-based, the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics has increased like never before and made them take place in education policy and curricula everywhere.
This article will introduce you to STEM Education and why STEM education is important in education for our later generations.
A Brief History of STEM Education
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or STEM is a broad term for major grouping fields into an integrated discipline. STEM originated in the early 1990s by varieties of educators with help from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States as SMET – Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology, mainly to integrate pure and applied sciences into a single unit.
In the field of education, A report in 2005 by the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, emphasized the links between prosperity, knowledge-intensive jobs dependent on science and technology, and continued innovation to address societal problems. As a result, STEM education became the core focus of the national curriculum for many countries to achieve the goal of building and maintaining prosperity via developing their human capital into a productive workforce.
Why do Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics matter in education?
We need to define the element within STEM education as
Science: the systematic study of the nature and behaviour of the material and physical universe, based on observation, experiment, and measurement, and the formulation of laws to describe these facts in general terms
Technology: the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.
Engineering: the art or science of applying the knowledge of pure sciences, such as physics or chemistry, as in the construction of engines, bridges, buildings, mines, ships, and chemical plants.
Mathematics: a group of related sciences, including algebra, geometry, and calculus, concerned with the study of number, quantity, shape, and space and their interrelationships by using a specialized notation.
STEM education not only brings knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, but it also always brings the following three major skill sets embedded in Science and Mathematics: logic – a strict principle of validity; reasoning – thinking sensibly; and problem-solving – finding solutions to complex issues, all of which is a basic needs for human in the 21st Century.
Another benefit of the STEM education is the usage of the Problem-based learning method which involves utilizing knowledge by
- Designing, developing, and utilizing technological systems
- Open-ended, problem-based design activities
- Cognitive, manipulative, and effective learning strategies
- Applying technological knowledge and processes to real-world experiences using up-to-date resources
- Working individually as well as in a team to solve problems
STEM Education also matters to the STEM Pipeline: an educational pathway for students in the field of science, technology, and engineering. Knowledge in science, both pure and applied science, is formed in a method like building a brick wall. To ensure the progress in higher levels of STEM education, STEM education is also needed in both primary and secondary levels of education to create solid support for a student who prefers a higher level of STEM education.
Varieties of STEM Education
Currently, STEM education can be enhanced into varieties of curricula, including
- STREAMi – Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and innovation
- STM – Scientific, Technical, and Mathematics; or Science, Technology, and Medicine; or Scientific, Technical, and Medical
- eSTEM – environmental STEM
- STEMIE – Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Invention and Entrepreneurship
- iSTEM – invigorating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
- STEMS² – Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Social Sciences and Sense of place
- METALS – Mathematics, Engineering, Technology, Arts, Logic, and Science
- STREM – Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, and Mathematics; or Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, and Multimedia
- STEEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Economics, and Mathematics
- STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics; or Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics; or Science, Technology, Engineering and Applied Mathematics
- STREAM – Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics
- A-STEM – Arts, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
- GEMS – Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science
- STEMM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine
- SHTEAM – Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics
- MINT – Mathematics, Informatics, Natural sciences, and Technology
You can clearly see that STEM education does not purely rely on the textbook knowledge on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, but there is a way of bringing ‘philosophy of science’ and scientific method of seeking and obtaining knowledge into a teaching and curriculum which can be applied with almost any subject available for the children.
Introducing Cambridge x STEM+ at PBISS
The importance of STEM education for children in the 21st Century has led us at PBISS to design the Cambridge x STEM+ curriculum and use it as a core foundation for our education.
We interpret STEM as an element to provide active learning to our students and that is why our STEM is improved into the STEM+ approach, using them as an approach for teaching and learning in every available subject. As a result, Cambridge x STEM+ is embedded in all levels from early years to Advanced IGCSE by utilizing interactive activities through different areas of education. Making them irreplaceable initiatives that deliver unmatched added value to our students.
Another aspect of Cambridge x STEM+ is the Cambridge-accredited Curriculum, designed under the idea of Cambridge Pathway: a step-by-step coherent curriculum ensuring that students have in-depth knowledge, think critically, form ordered and coherent arguments, understand implications, and present and communicate their reasoned explanations. We also improving our standard by a partnership with Cambridge Alumni with great expertise in education and children development, making our Cambridge x STEM+ curriculum updated and following the trends needed by children and parents.
If you are interested in enrolling your children into our education or have some questions about our teaching or our policies on education. Please visit our campus directly or feel free to contact us via our email at info@pbiss.ac.th
