Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),
This term is typically used when addressing education policy
and curriculum
choices in schools to improve competitiveness
in science and technology
development.
It has implications for workforce development, national
security concerns and immigration policy.
Why Change?
In our work with thousands of teachers in hundreds of secondary
schools, as well as from our work with faculty from dozens of colleges
and universities, we have heard recurring concerns voiced:
too many students have low motivation and poor work habits;too many are not as well as prepared for the next level as they should be; too many don’t know the basics and cannot apply what they know.
Many students have told us they find the teaching dull and the
curriculum meaningless to them. Few when asked can articulate why
they
are learning what is presented to them.
Why STEM Education?
“In
the 21st 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 levels much beyond what was
considered acceptable in the past.
STEM education gives people skills that make them more employable and ready to meet the current labor demand.
It encompasses the whole range of experiences and skills. Each STEM
component brings a valuable contribution to a well-rounded education.
Science gives learners an in-depth understanding of the world around us.
STEM education goes beyond school subjects. It gives a skill set that
governs the way we think and behave. Merging science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics, STEM education helps us to solve the
challenges the world faces today. Let’s see what STEM means in the
global context and how it influences the development of our society. ”
Who Can Make a Difference
STEM
education gives people skills that make them more employable and ready
to meet the current labor demand. It encompasses the whole range of
experiences and skills. Each STEM component brings a valuable
contribution to a well-rounded education.
Science gives learners an
in-depth understanding of the world around us. It helps them to become
better at research and critical thinking. Technology prepares young
people to work in an environment full of high-tech innovations.
Engineering allows students to enhance problem-solving skills and apply
knowledge in new projects. Mathematics enables people to analyze
information, eliminate errors, and make conscious decisions when
designing solutions.
STEM education links these disciplines into a
cohesive system. Thus, it prepares professionals who can transform
society with innovation and sustainable solutions.
Who benefits from STEM?
STEM
education helps to bridge the ethnic and
gender gaps sometimes found in
math and science
fields. Initiatives have been established to increase
the roles of women and minorities in STEM-related
fields.
STEM education
breaks the traditional gender
roles. In order to compete in a global
economy,
STEM education and careers must be a national
priority. Each
and every decision made uses an
aspect of STEM to understand the
implications.
Philosophy
We consider the curriculum in its largest sense to be a student’s
entire school experience and that each course must have an “engagement
proposition” so that every student knows what they
are intended to learn
and why.
We believe that disciplinary subjects should serve the school’s purpose and not the other way around. We regard state standards as
flexible enough to permit a wide choice of curricular organization and
choice of materials.
We think the “classroom” can take many forms and in different spaces,
but that learning is ultimately about a relationship between the
knower, what is to be known. And while technology can greatly aid
learning, we believe there is no substitute for a human teacher, who we
regard as an indispensable questioner, guide and mentor.
To maximize student understanding of concepts and the retention of
information, we believe subjects ought to be internally coherent while
at the same time reflecting the cognitive psychology of the learner.
To the greatest extent practical, there ought to be abundant opportunities in the curriculum for cross-disciplinary connections so
that the curriculum affords students insight into the seamless
integration of the natural world.
Vision
The
Egyptian STEM schools seek to create independent learners
equipped with
the 21st century skills of critical thinking, collaboration,
communication and creativity through project-based learning method.
Through this approach, our students are equipped with the skills
needed to address the grand challenges that face Egypt.
Goals
Increase student interest, participation, and achievement in science and mathematics .
Strengthen the STEM school initiative by developing an effective model for specialized high schools.
Build
the capacity of a highly qualified cadre of STEM professionals and
provide opportunities for training and sustained, intellectually
rigorous professional learning.
Strengthen MoE capacity at the systems and policy level to sustain and replicate these model schools .
Support
the MoE in upgrading science and mathematics curriculum standards,
student assessments, and teacher preparation for mainstream schools.
The School seeks:
Partnerships with universities, research centers, factories, companies and those who care about education for development, training and application.
To be linked with the latest innovations and research issues in a
lifelong culture and to work as a team with students and teachers.
To develop the elements of innovation and creativity as an essential
goal and to shed light on the role of science and engineering in the
development of Egypt and the world.
To provide technical and financial support for the student-based learning focused on inquiry, projects and working as a team.
Ongoing evaluation of all student and teachers while concentrating
on
developing the highest skills and self-reliance possible.
STEM-Enhanced Teamwork and Communication
STEM
education prepares the world for the future. It is based on teamwork and
collaboration of professionals from different disciplines. As a STEM
student, you do not need to be an expert in each particular subject. You
rather acquire a mindset that enables you to become a part of the
highly qualified workforce, which functions in collaboration. Teamwork
brings a significant increase in productivity, work satisfaction, and
profitability.
Active engagement of experts from diverse fields
will drive change in our society. STEM education exposes students to
effective interdisciplinary communication. Scientists research and
experiment, offering the team discoveries.
Technology experts provide
gadgets that can make the work of the team more effective. Engineers
help to solve challenges by designing and running platforms that enable
change. Mathematicians analyze information to eliminate mistakes and
provide precise calculations.
Our world is continuously changing. The
only way we can be ready for its challenges is through communication and
collaboration.
Collaborative experience also helps to broaden
the impact of STEM education. Working with local experts and our
international colleagues, we can promote our values and move towards a
single purpose.
This way, we improve communities, offering new
educational and employment opportunities. Such open access to
world-class experience is possible only when we combine our knowledge
and capabilities.
