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Encouraging STEM EducationMonday, October 27, 2008Posted by Freeman Hrabowski, President, UMBC, under Education Post the next comment (6 so far) |
My audacious idea is that we want to produce students who will help our country to be as competitive globally as possible.
The 21st Century Economy is going to require more emphasis on STEM fields – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — and we need in Baltimore to think about being competitive within the 50 states as well as across the world, and that will mean being seen as a place for smart people in science.
What that will require is our working, beginning at the middle school level for example, with teachers and children and families on after school programs, weekend programs and summer programs, centered around STEM education, such as the FIRST Lego program we host here at UMBC.
We want American children to be excited about technology, and about solving math problems and about being the very best, and the idea is to have that focused on Baltimore City, to have teachers and children and families focused on such an effort.
It may sound like it’s something we do all the time but it really is bold to say that we learn to do by doing. We need to be focusing on having these children reading and doing word problems and solving engineering and science problems all the time and getting them excited about it and helping them to become the very best and to excel.
It’s bold to say in Baltimore that we want to see children excelling.
posts
Monday, October 27, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Such a simple thing – to want our children to learn, to know and to be successful in the sciences. The audacity of hope and hard work and faith – thank you for never giving up on our children and inspiring others to work for them as you have.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 9:47 am
In the last 2 -3 years, Baltimore City has used robotics technology to engage students in problem solving and math & science applications. Based on this, student enthusiasm for engineering careers has increased. High School students have also formed partnerships w/ elementary and middle school students to setup robotic clubs and workshops to let the younger kids know that engineering can be fun and rewarding. Students are also working w/ engineers from the business community to stay current w/ industry goals and objectives.
It is not just our hope that we will produce students who are capable of competing on a global scale, but those who are also technologically literate and able to improve our society.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 10:41 am
And to help it happen — we need to recognize that parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, and afterschool staff (of any and all education levels) can ALL ignite, support, and encourage children’s natural curiosity about the world, desire to explore, and drive to communicate. This is the underpinning we can all help build for STEM learning and for bringing up a new generation of scientists and leaders.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 12:32 pm
A truly wonderful idea, but incomplete. After school programs in the sciences help those kids interested in the sciences. Not all or them excel with science and math. Lets also have after school programs in the arts for those students whose creative bent swings toward right brain activities.
Henry Farkas, MD, MPH
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 8:12 pm
I agree that a renewed focus on STEM areas is needed, both in the classroom and in extracurriculars. As a teacher here in Baltimore, I think classes and activities that create a bridge among the different areas are the best way to spark students’ interest in STEM fields.
Too often, math and science are taught abstractly and in isolation, and students cannot see the connections to what is real. But there are deep connections among science, technology, engineering, and math! And there are connections in these subjects to art & creativity, to reading & writing, and to understanding our society! With teachers working together to create interdisciplinary projects, we can make these connections visible to students and get them excited about STEM.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Indeed, after school and informal STEM education programs play a significant role inspiring children that are already interested in STEM fields. But to enhance technological literacy for ALL students, we MUST insure that technology & engineering education is taught in the classroom… and I mean technology in the broadest sense – beyond computers and robotics.