The Emphasis for STEM in Education

According to both the National Research Council and the National Science Foundation, the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are considered the core technological underpinnings of an advanced society. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics believes that “STEM education in our nation’s classrooms provides the critical foundation needed for our future national security and economic competitiveness.” As evidenced by President Obama’s recently announced “Educate to Innovate” campaign and the $250 million public-private initiative to recruit and train more STEM teachers (this is on top of the more than $3 billion the federal government already provides for STEM education each year across a range of agencies), it is obvious that our current government also strongly believes education in the STEM fields is essential to remain globally competitive and secure. Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) President Harris N. Miller emphasized that “increasing global competition from countries like India and China is fueling major concerns about how well the United States is developing the pipeline of skilled STEM workers.” Unfortunately, the National Science Teachers Association reported in 2008, that nearly half of all students studying engineering and science at the post-secondary level leave the major for other pursuits because they are not adequately prepared in the K-12 classroom to meet the demands of the college classrooms. The National Academy of Science states that we will eventually lose quality jobs to other nations, resulting in a lower standard of living, reduction in tax revenues, and weaker domestic market for goods and services. Eric A. Hanushek of Stanford University suggested that reforming STEM education efforts would not only strengthen our country’s place in the technological world by encouraging more students to seek STEM professions, but that such reform would also lead to great economic improvement. He projected that the United States gross domestic product (GDP) would be 4% higher in 2025, and 10% higher in 2040, than it would be without such reform. This increase would be enough to cover the annual cost of K-12 public education.
I recall Dr. Dugan mentioning during our first class, “For the first time in the history of America, you cannot have low skills and get a high paying job.” Apparently the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also agrees, predicting nine of the top ten fastest growing occupations through 2016 requiring a bachelor’s degree will be STEM related. With so many of tomorrow’s jobs having a background in the STEM fields, and increasing levels of globalization, it is hardly a surprise that there is such an emphasis for STEM in education.
Although I personally feel as though innovation is paramount in a 21st Century global economy and that the STEM fields are the backbone of concepts that drive job creation, economic growth and prosperity in a global economy, one could argue that there are drawbacks to an increased focus on such fields. All of the emphasis on STEM fields may come at the expense of other areas in education. Unfortunately, as every educator knows, it is nearly impossible to add material to a curriculum without subtracting something else. In future years we may find this country’s language and reading skills suffering, and/or weakness in the related arts subjects due to a reallocation of time and money towards STEM classes. Already financially suffering art and music education programs would surely deteriorate further with additional funding being directed towards STEM programs. One could also argue that just as everyone cannot be a professional athlete, not everyone is capable or has the aptitude to find success in the STEM fields.
Just as President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958 and rallied a nation around its space program, it is time for a renewed push towards the STEM fields, as they are becoming the universal language of the global marketplace. Only the future will tell if we have put enough of an emphasis on STEM education today.