Welcome, Parents, Grandparents, and Interested Others
Because you are here, we know that you want your student(s) to be enthusiastic, competent science learner(s). You have probably bought into at least one of the following messages about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics):
STEM is Fun! (for Students)
STEM is Money! (for Parents)
STEM is the future! (for Teachers and Corporations)
And why is it important for everyone?
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics—STEM, and therefore, STEM education—are vital to our future—the future of our country, the future of our region and the future of our children. Besides, STEM is everywhere; it shapes our everyday experiences.
Have you considered how often we experience STEM in our lives? Science is our natural world— sun, moon and stars…lands and oceans…weather, natural disasters, the diversity of nature, animals (large, small, microbial)…plants and food…the fuel that heats our homes and powers transportation…The list is almost endless. In today’s world, technology means computers and smartphones, but it goes back to television, radio, microscopes, telegraph, telescopes, the compass, and even the first wheel. Yes, engineering designs buildings, roads, and bridges, but it also tackles today’s challenges of transportation, global warming and environment-friendly machines, appliances and systems. We only have to look around to see what improvements to our lives and our homes have been engineered in the last decade alone. We encounter mathematics at the grocery store, the bank, on tax forms, in dealing with investments and the family budget. Every other STEM field depends on mathematics. STEM is important, because it pervades every aspect of our lives.
Hence all of us need to be concerned about exciting our kids about science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
