What is STEM Education?

STEM Education is a methodology of teaching that focuses on educating students in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics through an interdisciplinary and applied approach. In this approach, the students are taught all the four subjects in an integrated way rather than as separate and discrete subjects.

What are the Components of STEM Education?

The different components of STEM can be defined as under –

• Science is one of the most important subjects taught in the school that gives the students life-long skills of collaboration, research, critical inquiry, experimentation, exploration, and discovery.
• Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to human activity. It involves products and processes that have simplified our lives.
• Engineering as a subject teaches us to apply scientific and mathematical knowledge to innovate new things for human use.
• Mathematics gives us the skills and approaches to interpret and analyze information, as well as simply and solve problems, assess risks and make informed decisions.

Origin of STEM Education

The STEM Education was an initiative taken by the scientific administrators at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2001 and was originally termed as Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology (SMET).

The term SMET came into common use immediately after an inter-agency meeting on Science Education held at the US National Science Foundation chaired by Rita Colwell; director of NSF. Later, a director from the Office of Science division of Workforce and Development for Teachers and Scientist, Peter Faletra, suggested a change in the acronym from SMET to STEM.

According to the National Science Foundation “In the 21^st 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 level much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.”

Importance of STEM Education

STEM Education is very crucial both for the students and the nation. It instills in the students logical, critical thinking, problem-solving skills which are very important for the growth of the economy and progress of the nation.

• Growth and Development: The subjects taught in STEM Education are important for the growth and progress of the economy. These subjects make the student think logically, critically, and creatively.
• Employment Opportunities – The employment opportunities in STEM are seen to be growing at a rapid pace. As per a report by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the STEM occupations are seen to be growing at 17% whereas the other occupations are increasing at 9.8%.
• Well-Paid – It is also noted that the degree holders in STEM Education are paid well both in their fields as well as in Non-STEM Careers. Those with expertise in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics play a key role in sustained growth and stability.
• Gender Equality – STEM Education is also important to bridge the gender gap found in the fields of science, mathematics, and technology. Efforts are being made to increase the role of women and minorities in STEM-related fields.

Benefits of STEM Education

STEM Education provides real experience and hands-on lessons to the students & is considered highly beneficial to the students.

• Technologically Advanced – Technology is an integral part of life and STEM Education makes students proactive about technology.
• Skills Enhancement – STEM Education is also believed to inculcate in the students critical, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills.
• Conceptual Understanding – Through STEM-based Education, the children learn to engage themselves in concepts in a deeper and thorough way.
• Hands-On Experience – STEM Education gives students a hands-on and real experience of the things. It aims to teach the students the application of the process and skills learned in the subjects.
• Teamwork – Through STEM Education, students of various levels of ability can find solutions to problems, record data, write reports, give presentations, etc. They can learn to work in a team-oriented environment.

STEM-based Education in School

A student develops an interest in STEM fields by the age of 8 years and therefore it is very important that he is given right guidance and exposure to STEM-based education in school.  

Education has gone beyond Smart Classroom teaching to hands-on experience of information and communication technology. Quite a number of STEM companies are working in collaboration with schools to help them set up STEM Centers and labs with AR/VR technology.

The Government is also helping the educational institutions to upgrade their library infrastructures with engaging learning assets and management tools, and implement Learning Management Systems, assessment systems, language labs, library management system, gamification, etc.

Schools must give students STEM-based education. Adequate funding should be done to the schools to enable them to build STEM into their curriculum. Also, parents must encourage their children to pursue STEM activities. They must increase awareness and interest at home and in extracurricular activities of the STEM Education.

STEM Education would produce children not just as a user of technology but as innovators. A well-engrained robust STEM Education is likely to create problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and next-generation innovators.

Challenges in STEM Education

The biggest challenge facing the Education sector in the implementation of STEM Education is to design infrastructure, curriculum, and equip children with best guidance and support.

Yet another challenge is the adequacy of funds for construction of Maker spaces, DIY, and best computers for STEM Education.

Some of the educators believe that introducing STEM Education would divert the students from their studies and that by doing this; they will not be able to complete the defined curriculum within the stipulated time.

Robotics in STEM Prismart offers an all new and innovative way of learning with Robotime. Robotime incorporates a planned curriculum from Nursery to 10^th class based on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). It helps the students think, build, create with the help of supporting material. The students can learn 21^st-century skills with the help of enjoyable modules, detailed manuals and 3D tutorials with Robotime. Prismart provides Robotics kits for various levels which are Starter level, Beginner level, Elementary level, Intermediate level and Advance, and Expert level.