National STEM Day: November 8th, 2021
National STEM Day is finally here! As every day, Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy encourages its students to make science, technology, engineering and math inside and outside the classroom. But.. Why is this day so relevant? Let’s find out together!
Through STEM-based activities, students at Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy become problem-solvers!
Nowadays, there is a need to equip young students with a wide range of fundamental skills, which is why STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education is the answer. The world is changing around us. Digital technology has become a core part of our everyday lives. Advances in technology impact everything, especially the world of work.
As the world of work changes, we will need to change our skills to match. Overcoming these limitations requires a priority focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including the development of workplace skills in STEM. Future careers will also rely heavily on ‘21st-century skills’ — for example, critical thinking, creativity, cultural awareness, collaboration, and problem-solving. When done well, STEM education complements the development of 21st-century skills.
STEM learning is also important for students in their everyday life in our contemporary world, with the rise of new technologies in biomedicine, microfabrication, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The ability to understand and apply data, and develop solutions to complex problems, will be important life skills.
How is STEM different from traditional education?
STEM education creates a blended learning environment that shows students how scientific methods can be applied to everyday life.
- It also teaches younger students about computational thinking and focuses on real-world applications instead of theoretical problem-solving.
- STEM education helps to develop science and technology skills early to enable young students to comprehend and apply these topics throughout their education and adult life.
- Thanks to STEM education, children also become better equipped for record-keeping, engaging in inquiry, and communicating about science.
- Scientific inquiry fits well with young children’s innate learning tendencies.
- Young Students are naturally curious, and they respond well to learning experiences that allow them to explore and experiment.
History of STEM
The term was introduced early in the 21st century as a way to refer to careers and/or curricula centered around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – the most rapidly growing industries in the U.S. economy. Then as the U.S. and companies continued to ramp up technological innovation, in order to remain competitive across the globe, the movement around integrating STEM into educational frameworks began to gain a lot of traction.
People began to recognize that it was time to start preparing our youth, and our economy, for the future, by helping students of all ages develop the 21st-century skills they will need to be successful and to play an effective role in the future workforce.
STEM education is paramount: integrates technology into the daily educational experience, with specially trained teachers who know how to best present these subjects, inquiry-based interactive teaching methodologies. There is no doubt that the jobs of tomorrow will mainly require high-skilled, technologically advanced workers
At Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy, we’re passionate about inspiring the next generation of engineers, artists, and innovators. Happy STEM Day! Let’s celebrate together! Send us your pictures to scsa@edupix.org and we’ll be displaying them on social media.