STEM(Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics)

California State UniversitySan Bernardino****************

William E. Dugger, Jr.Emeritus Professor, Virginia Tech

&Senior Fellow, International Technology

Education Association

California State UniversitySan Bernardino****************

William E. Dugger, Jr.Emeritus Professor, Virginia Tech

&Senior Fellow, International Technology

Education Association

Outline of PresentationOutline of

Presentation What is STEM? Where did STEM come from? What is STEM Education? Some basic definitions Why is STEM so important? STEM Assessment Standards and STEM Summary

What is STEM? Where did STEM come from? What is STEM Education? Some basic definitions Why is STEM so important? STEM Assessment Standards and STEM Summary

There is a growing movement in the U. S.

to teach the integrative subjects

of Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Where did STEM come from?

What is STEM Education?

STEM is the integration of Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics into a new

trans-disciplinary subject in schools

STEM is the integration of Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics into a new

trans-disciplinary subject in schools

STEM Education offers a chance for

students to make sense of the world rather than learn isolated bits and pieces of

phenomena

Some basic definitions

What is Science, Technology, Engineering,

and Mathematics???

Science seeks to understand the natural world.

National Science Education Standards,

National Research Council, 1996.

National Science Education Standards,

National Research Council, 1996.

What is Technology?It is the innovation, change, or modification of the natural environment in order to satisfy perceived human wants and needs. (Standards for Technological Literacy, ITEA, 2000)The goal of technology is to make modifications in the world to meet human needs. (National Science Education Standards, NRC, 1996)

It is the innovation, change, or modification of the natural environment in order to satisfy perceived human wants and needs. (Standards for Technological Literacy, ITEA, 2000)The goal of technology is to make modifications in the world to meet human needs. (National Science Education Standards, NRC, 1996)

What is Technology ? (Continued)

In the broadest sense, technology extends our abilities to change the world: to cut, shape, or put together materials; to move things from one place to another; to reach farther with our hands, voices, and senses. (Benchmarks for Science Literacy, AAAS, 1993)Technology is the process by which humans modify nature to meet their needs and wants. (Technically Speaking: Why All Americans Need to Know More About Technology, NAE/NRC,2002)

In the broadest sense, technology extends our abilities to change the world: to cut, shape, or put together materials; to move things from one place to another; to reach farther with our hands, voices, and senses. (Benchmarks for Science Literacy, AAAS, 1993)Technology is the process by which humans modify nature to meet their needs and wants. (Technically Speaking: Why All Americans Need to Know More About Technology, NAE/NRC,2002)

those who believe that technology is just computers and the internet must have

forgot:The homes and buildings that they live and work in is technologyHow food gets on the table is technologyHow people and things get moved today …How we communicate better, faster, and farther that our ancestors …How the world has changed by technological inventions and innovations … How energy is transformed to power … How we live healthier and longer lives …How …

The homes and buildings that they live and work in is technologyHow food gets on the table is technologyHow people and things get moved today …How we communicate better, faster, and farther that our ancestors …How the world has changed by technological inventions and innovations … How energy is transformed to power … How we live healthier and longer lives …How …

Science and Technology

*****Technology and Science

What is Engineering?“Design under constraint. Engineers design solutions to problems. However there are a set of constraints that we have to satisfy -- size, weight, reliability, safety, economic factors, environmental impact, manufacturability, and a whole list of “--bilities” (Wulf)the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practices are applied with judgments to develop ways to utilize economically the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind. (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET, 2002)

“Design under constraint. Engineers design solutions to problems. However there are a set of constraints that we have to satisfy -- size, weight, reliability, safety, economic factors, environmental impact, manufacturability, and a whole list of “--bilities” (Wulf)the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practices are applied with judgments to develop ways to utilize economically the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind. (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET, 2002)

What is Mathematics?

The study of any patterns or relationships (AAAS, 1993)The science of numbers and their operations, interrelations, combinations, generalizations, and abstractions and of space configurations and their structure, measurement, transformations, and generalizations (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary

The study of any patterns or relationships (AAAS, 1993)The science of numbers and their operations, interrelations, combinations, generalizations, and abstractions and of space configurations and their structure, measurement, transformations, and generalizations (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary

STEM: Integrated or Separated?

Integrated STEM: The principles of science and the analysis of mathematics are combined with the design process of technology and engineering in the classroom.Separated S.T.E.M.: Each subject is taught separately with the hope that the synthesis of disciplinary knowledge will be applied. This may be referred to as STEM being taught as “Silos”

Integrated STEM: The principles of science and the analysis of mathematics are combined with the design process of technology and engineering in the classroom.Separated S.T.E.M.: Each subject is taught separately with the hope that the synthesis of disciplinary knowledge will be applied. This may be referred to as STEM being taught as “Silos”

Why is STEM Education so Important?

Why is STEM Education so Important?

“For a society so deeply dependent on technology and engineering, we are largely ignorant about

technology and engineering concepts and processes, and we have largely ignored this incongruity in our

educational system.” (Bybee, 2000)

“For a society so deeply dependent on technology and engineering, we are largely ignorant about

technology and engineering concepts and processes, and we have largely ignored this incongruity in our

educational system.” (Bybee, 2000)

Schooling is not relevant to many of our youth

today:In the U.S. this year,

Approximately 1.25 million kids leave school

without a high school diploma … that’s about 7,000 students a day!

(National Dropout Prevention Center, 2009)

In the U.S. this year, Approximately 1.25

million kids leave school without a high school diploma … that’s about 7,000 students a day!

(National Dropout Prevention Center, 2009)

The national Science Board in 2008 reported

that the U. S. is currently experiencing a

chronic decline in homegrown STEM talent and is increasingly dependent upon foreign scholars to fill the workforce and

leadership voids.

The national Science Board in 2008 reported

that the U. S. is currently experiencing a

chronic decline in homegrown STEM talent and is increasingly dependent upon foreign scholars to fill the workforce and

leadership voids.

The Council of Graduate Schools (2007) noted that

graduate school admissions to some post secondary STEM programs are down by 30 percent over previous levels. In some areas, only 16 percent of students in science and engineering

disciplines were citizens of the U.S.

The Council of Graduate Schools (2007) noted that

graduate school admissions to some post secondary STEM programs are down by 30 percent over previous levels. In some areas, only 16 percent of students in science and engineering

disciplines were citizens of the U.S.

A recent report of the U. S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics predicts that the number of jobs in STEM occupations will

grow by 47 percent, three times the rate of all other occupations, by

2010.(American Association of State Colleges and Universities, 2005)

A recent report of the U. S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics predicts that the number of jobs in STEM occupations will

grow by 47 percent, three times the rate of all other occupations, by

2010.(American Association of State Colleges and Universities, 2005)

STEM can help with solving some of these problems.

Our educational system can be enhanced to appropriately function for a new world reality according

to Thomas Friedman in his frequently cited book, The World is

Flat.The world may be flat but our

educational system is as mountainous as ever.

(McComas and McComas, ITEA, 2009)

Shocking data:Shocking data:

Only four percent of American college graduates in 2003 majored in engineering compared to 13 percent of European students and 20 percent of those in Asia.

Only four percent of American college graduates in 2003 majored in engineering compared to 13 percent of European students and 20 percent of those in Asia.

Some U. S. Efforts to Support STEM Education:

Some U. S. Efforts to Support STEM Education:

International Technology Education Association

National Academy of Engineering (NAE)

American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)

Federal and State Efforts• Engineering Education for the Innovation Economy Act (Pending)

International Technology Education Association

National Academy of Engineering (NAE)

American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)

Federal and State Efforts• Engineering Education for the Innovation Economy Act (Pending)

STEM Assessment National Level

Still at the “silo” levelNational Assessment of

Educational Progress (NAEP)

State LevelSome are working on this

(Ohio, Tenn., Mass.)

National Level Still at the “silo” levelNational Assessment of

Educational Progress (NAEP)

State LevelSome are working on this

(Ohio, Tenn., Mass.)

National Content Standards for STEM

No integrated standards Individual Standards

ScienceBenchmarks for Science Literacy (AAAS. 1989)National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996)

MathematicsPrinciples and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM, 2000)

No integrated standards Individual Standards

ScienceBenchmarks for Science Literacy (AAAS. 1989)National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996)

MathematicsPrinciples and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM, 2000)

Individual Standards (Continued)

TechnologyStandards for Technological Literacy (STE)(ITEA ,2000,2002,2007)National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) (ISTE , 2007)

Engineering (None yet)

TechnologyStandards for Technological Literacy (STE)(ITEA ,2000,2002,2007)National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) (ISTE , 2007)

Engineering (None yet)

State Standards - Varies by state

A wealth of natural resources, innovation, and hard work provided the mechanisms that transformed our nation during the 20th Century. National and international transformations during the 21st Century will be driven by those who want to invest in and advance comprehensive STEM educational programs (Daugherty, 2009)

A wealth of natural resources, innovation, and hard work provided the mechanisms that transformed our nation during the 20th Century. National and international transformations during the 21st Century will be driven by those who want to invest in and advance comprehensive STEM educational programs (Daugherty, 2009)

Summary

Thank you and

Best wishes to you in the future!

William E. Dugger, Jr.wdugger@iteaconnect.org

William E. Dugger, Jr.wdugger@iteaconnect.org

Do We Teach engineering or Engineering?

engineering – little “e” – used as a verbto teach all students to think or learn to engineer or use engineering concepts

Engineering – big “E” – used as a nounprepare students to be Engineers – career oriented

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)(“The Nation’s Report Card”)

2012 Technological Literacy Framework Project

Overall PurposesOverall Purposes

1.Develop the recommended framework and specifications for NAEP Technological Literacy 2012 in grades 4, 8, and 12.

The assessment will be entirely computer-based.

2.WestEd Project funded by the U.S. Department of Education (2009-2012)

1.Develop the recommended framework and specifications for NAEP Technological Literacy 2012 in grades 4, 8, and 12.

The assessment will be entirely computer-based.

2.WestEd Project funded by the U.S. Department of Education (2009-2012)