Why is industry so interested in STEM education?

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education is about developing innovative real life skills - skills that industries are now looking for. The skills gained from STEM education prepare learners to have innovative skill sets that allowing them to be successful in any industry.

The focus is on hands-on, experiential learning using real-world applications. The skill sets developed include creativity and 21st-century skills, media and technology literacy, productivity, social skills, communication, flexibility and personal initiative. Other skills attained through STEM education include problem solving, curiosity, decision making, leadership, entrepreneurship, and so important, how to deal with acceptance of failure.

The ability to think critically and challenge any curriculum standards is the basis of innovation. Innovative thinkers are the movers and shakers that have the potential to change the world. They are the students in your class who challenge the curriculum status quo.

Science is everywhere in the world around us. Technology is continuously expanding into every aspect of our lives - exponentially . Engineering is a broad field becoming even broader with technological advances - it is no longer the basic designs of roads and bridges, - it encompasses changing global weather and the environmental, technological advances - it is changing day to day so the curriculum must provide real-life situations to challenge students - and the realisation that teachers need to let go and unleash talent.

“In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.” (National Science Foundation).

While many schools prepare their students to pass exams - others prepare them with the skills for futuristic jobs.

No matter how hard we try to predict the future, it will always be uncertain. While some probably thought we would have had flying cars by now, it’s not quite the case. We have the first prototypes already.

Indeed there is already a market for these cars

So think back - what we once thought of as science fiction is eventually becomes science fact.

On the 24th January 2020 autonomous vehicle startup Cruise has revealed its first self driving electric car designed for shared ownership, which has no steering wheel or pedals.

Cruise was able to rid the Origin car of an engine, steering wheel, rearview mirrors, pedals and windshield wipers, to leave a spacious cabin "designed around the rider".

Artificial Intelligence and internet

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most transformative tech evolutions of our times.

Currently, these platforms, like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, but during 2020, we will see wider adoption and a growing pool of providers that are likely to start offering more tailored applications and services for specific or specialized tasks. This will mean no company in the future will have any excuses left not to use AI.

Internet is getting faster! Super-fast data networks will not only give us the ability to stream movies and music at higher quality when we’re on the move. The greatly increased speeds mean that mobile networks will become more usable even than the wired networks running into our homes and businesses. The increased bandwidth will enable machines, robots, and autonomous vehicles to collect and transfer more data than ever.

65% of tomorrows workers jobs don't exist today

STEM in Finland

Finland has taken the lead in STEM education. Since the 1970s, the country has reformed its education system based on equity, equal education and resources, effective evaluation as well as well trained teachers. The education system in the country is decentralized as each institution has the autonomy to improve its education. One of the notable qualities of Finland’s education system is STEM. It has become part of their education system. In Finland, STEM is a problem-solving approach and an instructional standard to education.

Curriculum innovators, school leaders, teachers ... are we taking notice of the revolution and preparing our new generation effectively? Have we encapsulated the rapid innovation ourselves first?

Tassos Anastasiades