Using STEM to shape future scientists

STEM is a methodology that emerged in the early 2000s when the American government realized that students did not achieve as good grades as students from other countries. Also, there were signs of a shortage of human resources in areas related to what we now know as STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, which could hinder the scientific and technological advancement of the country due to a possible shortage of skilled labor.?

In order to address the issue, the United States has implemented educational initiatives that utilize a dynamic teaching approach, which integrates the four key subject areas, implementing the STEM methodology.

The STEM methodology involves investigation and problem-solving skills learned throughout the educational process. It aims to inspire them to pursue specialized scientific careers.

The STEM pedagogy method focuses on a project-based learning process, enabling students to think critically and scientifically. The methodology involves multidisciplinary and simultaneous teaching through 4 major knowledge areas:

Science: involves studying the structure and interactions of Nature through observation and experimentation and includes the study of biology, chemistry, physics, and astronomy.

Technology: Besides computers and related technology, this field encompasses the methods, tools, and processes used in scientific research within communication, medicine, transportation, and manufacturing.

Engineering: involves the application of the scientific method and mathematical principles to create machines, products and find solutions to real-life problems.

Math: it goes beyond the standard curriculum and teaches students how to establish connections between shapes, data, and numbers.

By including STEM in the curriculum, students gain valuable skills such as planning, creating, and innovating while using technology. They also learn to analyze and interpret data carefully and responsibly, work collaboratively in teams, and apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems. As they expand their communication skills, they learn to be proactive, exhibit leadership qualities, and become more resilient.

In schools, STEM education replaces traditional teaching methods with dynamic classes that show students the interconnectedness between different areas of knowledge, helping them to understand how everything in the world is intrinsically linked. The teacher acts as a knowledge mediator. Social relations are horizontal, requiring different efforts from the teacher and the students, who must exercise patience, active listening, and mutual respect. For schools, the challenge is the implementation of chemistry, physics, and other laboratories, where they can test their experiments. Games, robotics, and gardening are different pedagogy strategies to consider.

Although schools are adopting this methodology, the labor market already needs these professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics foresees that more than 1 million STEM positions will be added to the job market by 2030. Dell predicts that 85% of the STEM jobs required in 2030 still need to be created.

The careers demanding STEM professionals are robotics, computer and information research scientist, software engineering manager, information security analyst, cloud solutions architect, and aircraft maintenance engineer. Some traditional fields, such as medicine, agriculture, and social sciences, also need STEM professionals to continue the progress of these fields of knowledge.

Education in STEM subjects is crucial for shaping the future of science and driving progress in society. It equips children from diverse backgrounds to succeed in the future, embrace change, and adapt to an ever-evolving world.