5 Different Definition of Stem Education - Essay Example

STEM education STEM education Different scholars come up with different definitions of the STEM education. One of them agrees that STEM education is the study of these disciplines in class and the ability to apply the knowledge and skill learned to various real life situations including environmental quality (Bybee, 2013). However, future citizens require more educational experience that goes beyond the traditional boundaries of all these four STEM disciplines. The reason is that if we want students to apply knowledge, then their education experience should help them in learning the STEM discipline and learning how to apply that knowledge in context appropriate to their age and development stage.

According to Veenstra et al, (2012), STEM education includes majors in natural sciences, engineering, science, health, and technologies. Many leaders have consistently created concern for the increasing number of STEM students who get well-paying jobs as compared to other degree holders. Though STEM is widely used throughout the education system, certain fields receive more attention in this more than others. Such fields include engineering, computer sciences, and the physical sciences. As a result, examination of STEM participation and resulting outcomes from examining narrow fields come up with differing conclusions as opposed to when a broader definition is used altogether.

STEM education is an important interdisciplinary approach that incorporates various academic concepts with other real-world lessons, as the student is able to apply the four disciplines of STEM education. As a result, they are able to connect between school, global economy and community work thus developing STEM literacy giving the students a competitive advantage in the economy (Beatty, 2011). Educators seem to consider this concept from an educational perspective increasing the importance of succeeding in science and mathematics and increasing the integration in engineering and technology when needs arises.

STEM education involves a study of sciences, mathematics, engineering and technology courses and having adequate knowledge to apply the skills and knowledge gained in the real world (DeBoer, 2011). The reason is that the competitive nature of every country requires that there is a strong educational program that is able to prepare innovative scientists and other engineers who are capable of providing innovations that can flourish the economy of a country. However, various educators involved in preparing students for important careers in STEM courses find the term confusing and unsure of its meaning and its implications for the teaching and learning consecutively.

Lastly, Olson & Labov, (2012), agree that there are varying definitions of STEM education causing educators to have many problems considering that they are required to enable their students to gain a competitive advantage in the market. According to them, STEM education is use of the available resources to undertake courses in science, engineering, mathematics and technology, and to be able to apply those skills in the outside world. They agree that most parents advocate for their children to undertake more science, mathematics, and engineering courses since they believe that they are better-paying careers compared to other courses.

Thus, regardless of the definition, it is important to consider the importance of STEM education in our systems today.ReferencesBeatty, A. S. (2011). Successful STEM education . Washington, D.C: National Academies Press.Bybee, R. W. (2013). The case for STEM education : challenges and opportunities. Arlington, VA: National Science Teachers Association.DeBoer, G. E. (2011). The role of public policy in K-12 science education. Charlotte, N.C.: Information Age Pub. .Olson, S., & Labov, J. B. (2012).

Community colleges in the evolving STEM education landscape. Washington DC: National Research Council and Academy of Engineering.Veenstra, C. P., Padró, F. F., Furst-Bowe, J. A., American Society for Quality. Education Division, & University of Wisconsin--Stout. (2012). Advancing the STEM Agenda . Milwaukee, Wisconsin: ASQ Quality Press.