What is STE(A)M Education?
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) has been around as a concept since about 1990. More recently educators has also seen the advantages of integrating the Arts throughout STEM projects, hence the new acronym:- STEAM.
STE(A)M is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in these four (or 5) specific disciplines in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.
There is more; STEM Education attempts to transform the typical teacher-centred classroom by encouraging a curriculum that is driven by problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning, and require students to actively engage a situation in order to find its solution.
STE(A)M is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in these four (or 5) specific disciplines in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.
There is more; STEM Education attempts to transform the typical teacher-centred classroom by encouraging a curriculum that is driven by problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning, and require students to actively engage a situation in order to find its solution.
Discussion Paper: STEM @ BHS
Published in June, 2015. This paper asks the question:- "What should 21st C STEM education look like?" It is designed as a discussion starter for the whole Birdwood High School community as we decide on the future direction of this exciting initiative at our school.
Download a copy here.
You can post an online response to this discussion paper. Please click here. This feedback window will close on 9th July, 2015.
Download a copy here.
You can post an online response to this discussion paper. Please click here. This feedback window will close on 9th July, 2015.
The importance of STEM.
All of this effort is to meet a need. According to a report by the website STEMconnector.org, by 2018, projections estimate the need for 8.65 million workers in STEM-related jobs. The manufacturing sector faces an alarmingly large shortage of employees with the necessary skills — nearly 600,000. The field of cloud computing alone will have created 1.7 million jobs between 2011 and 2015, according to the report. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2018, the bulk of STEM careers will be:
- Computing – 71 percent
- Traditional Engineering – 16 percent
- Physical sciences – 7 percent
- Life sciences – 4 percent
- Mathematics – 2 percent
STEM Education - Why it works
This is taken from the 'rea' website. Re-Engineering Australia Foundation.
"STEM education is about bringing together a number of subjects which are normally taught separately, into a single learning environment which is project based. Students learn in real world context with a focus on real life problem solving, that they can relate to.
Project based STEM learning promotes employability skills, develops collaboration skills, innovative capacity and operational understanding of the role project management plays in the world of work. All key outcomes required by industry.
Bringing STEM subjects together on the journey to solve real world problems is the key to re-engaging students at school ... and STEM activities have been proven to be as interesting to girls as they are to boys."
"STEM education is about bringing together a number of subjects which are normally taught separately, into a single learning environment which is project based. Students learn in real world context with a focus on real life problem solving, that they can relate to.
Project based STEM learning promotes employability skills, develops collaboration skills, innovative capacity and operational understanding of the role project management plays in the world of work. All key outcomes required by industry.
Bringing STEM subjects together on the journey to solve real world problems is the key to re-engaging students at school ... and STEM activities have been proven to be as interesting to girls as they are to boys."
STEAM philosophy at BHS.
To be developed following staff, student, parent, community and industry consultation.
But, here is a start......What is a maker? Quite simply makers make things. Some makers build robots, some sew clothes, some prepare food, some design tools and some construct houses. 'Maker' isn't a title conveyed after passing some test or degree programme; rather, it is a self-identification.
But, here is a start......What is a maker? Quite simply makers make things. Some makers build robots, some sew clothes, some prepare food, some design tools and some construct houses. 'Maker' isn't a title conveyed after passing some test or degree programme; rather, it is a self-identification.