8. Schools focus on the ‘forgotten’ elements of STEM education.
In most of the national conversations about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, it’s the “S” and the “M” that get all the attention.
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But those oft-forgotten middle terms, technology and engineering, were pushed into the spotlight this year as well, thanks to sweeping initiatives such as the Next Generation Science Standards and the Hour of Code.
After two years in development, the Next Generation Science Standards—a project led by 26 states—arrived in April. Along with a focus on rigor and real-world application, the standards call for K-12 schools to integrate engineering principles throughout the science curriculum.
That marks a significant change for teachers in states that have adopted the new standards—and it has forced education leaders to make sure their teachers have the resources needed to teach engineering concepts.
It’s not just the content itself that is a challenge; teachers also must be willing to relinquish some control.
“They move from being the deliverer of knowledge to being a facilitator of activity, and for some of them, that’s a big learning process,” said Jennifer Proffitt, high school STEM curriculum coordinator for the Parkway School District in St. Louis. Parkway received a $1.5 million federal Math and Science Partnership grant to train third through fifth grade science teachers.
Support for teaching computer science and coding skills also grew this year. According to Code.org, computer science is the highest-paid college degree, and jobs in computer programming are growing at two times the national average—yet fewer than 2.4 percent of college students graduate with a degree in computer science.
What’s more, 40 states don’t count computer science toward math or science requirements for high school graduation, and only 10 percent of schools offer computer programming classes. That could change, though, because states such as Washington are making moves to count Advanced Placement computer science classes toward math and science graduation requirements.
During Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 9-15), an initiative called the Hour of Code will ask students, teachers, parents, and schools to introduce students to computer programming for just one hour.
Activities include lessons that teach students coding basics, an intro to JavaScript, how to create your own app, and more. More than 11,000 coding and computer science events were planned as of press time, involving nearly 1.8 million students in 144 countries.
While technology and engineering instruction were finally getting the attention they deserve, another movement sought to add a fifth element to STEM education, changing the acronym to “STEAM”—with an “A” for the arts.
Leading the charge is the Rhode Island School of Design, which maintains the website STEMtoSTEAM.org.
“Design is increasingly becoming a key differentiator for technology startups and products,” the website says, and art and design “provide real solutions for our everyday lives, distinguish American products in a global marketplace, and create opportunity for economic growth.”
See also:
‘STEAM’ education gains momentum in schools
Wash. law boosts AP computer science education
Pilot hopes to draw students to computer programming through music
The coding movement: Resources for computer science education
How engineering is moving up in science classes
Six ed-tech tools for engineering instruction
Computer science education: The ‘why’ and ‘how’
Schools signing up for the Hour of Code
Kids learning computer code in after-school clubs
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