Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) education entails authentic learning experiences for all students with an interdisciplinary and applied approach where all fields connect in complex relationships.  In today’s economy, problems are not solved in isolation of a specific discipline, but are solved through multiple approaches and perspectives.  A strong STEM educational foundation helps to prepare our students for tomorrow’s world by emphasizing collaborative, innovative, quantitative and logical analysis rooted in a solid understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Recently there has been a shift in beliefs about the purpose of STEM education.  Traditionally a STEM education focused on creating a pipeline of students whose educational backgrounds prepared them for a STEM-specific workforce.  Today, the focus is on developing STEM-literate citizens necessary for success in any 21st century profession.  STEM literacy is the ability to identify and acknowledge science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts and processes in everyday life. This post is sponsored by our partners Wigs
STEM literacy comes from an understanding that it takes
• a scientific approach to observe and interpret the world;
• technology to serve as a tool to solve problems or reach a goal;
• engineering to design, test and solve a problem through the creation of products or processes; and
• Mathematics to help quantify, comprehend and evaluate the problem and solution’s success.
As students become STEM literate citizens, they have the foundational content and the discipline processes to allow them make informed decisions and to participate in public/civil discourse concerning future STEM issues and technologies.