Over the last 125 years, society has made significant technological advancements, moving from the days of horse-drawn carriages and telegraph communications. In 1908, Henry Ford began production of his Model T, a car that revolutionized the automobile industry. The telegraph, invented by Samuel Morse in the late 1830s/early 1840s, revolutionized long-distance communications with near real-time transmission of messages. This changed warfare during the Civil War, as well as transforming journalism to the public by practically immediately sharing events globally within minutes. Now, we have the internet and smartphones that connect us everywhere in the world. In addition, over the last 125 years, we have seen the Wright Brothers’ powered flight in 1903, which proved that a flying machine was possible. The Apollo moon landing in July 1969 served as a testament to human ingenuity in the pursuit of pushing the boundaries of knowledge and technology towards exploration beyond our Earth. The Apollo program demonstrated that it generated a return of seven dollars for every one dollar invested through the creation of new industries/jobs. All these examples demonstrate how STEM has driven innovation and economic growth.
The examples shown are just a small glimpse of how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) has significantly contributed to humanity over the last 125 years. STEM fosters innovation, supports economic development, and enhances problem-solving, particularly as social and technological challenges grow more complex. It encourages critical thinking and technical expertise, preparing individuals to address global issues such as health emergencies and technological advancements. Additionally, a robust STEM workforce is crucial for remaining competitive globally and ensuring that future generations are well-prepared to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological environment.
Students must understand technology to succeed in modern life. From breakthroughs like quantum computing to bioengineering innovations that aim to extend life and fight disease, and exploring deep space, progress is driven by STEM. To effectively navigate and actively contribute to this world, a basic knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and math has become essential, not optional.
STEM education also helps develop essential soft skills, such as teamwork, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and creativity, in students. Solving complex problems requires collaboration. Clear communication among team members is crucial to ensure everyone is working toward the same goal. Emotional intelligence supports the understanding and management of team emotions, which fosters a supportive team environment.
In my experience, when giving STEM presentations to students in K-12 grades, I find that I engage students more effectively by performing science experiments rather than just providing a talk. I include experiments related to space, such as tuning forks and spacecraft vibration, the egg-in-the-bottle experiment, and pressure differences on Earth and in space, as well as dropping objects of different weights to demonstrate that gravity’s effect is the same regardless of mass. For middle and high school students, I highlight technologies such as speech recognition and explain how they can be used to control robots or other machines. For university students, I usually involve them in an engineering project, mentoring them to develop their prototypes or models. Several tools and technologies are available today to support hands-on learning, including 3D printers, virtual and augmented reality, and various software tools that help visualize mathematical and scientific concepts. Many students learn best by doing what they read rather than simply reading it.
However, STEM is not just about teaching science to physicists, medicine to doctors, and engineering to aerospace engineers. Vocational training at the community college level also requires an understanding of STEM. Vocational fields such as Veterinary Tech, Electrician, Plumber, Web Developer, and Electronics Technician are in demand. These skilled trades also need fundamental STEM knowledge.
Therefore, investing in STEM education is an investment in our collective future. It is not just for professionals, such as doctors and engineers, but also for skilled laborers, including lab technicians and plumbers/electricians. It empowers individuals to become creators, problem solvers, and innovators in rapidly evolving fields. It equips them with the critical thinking skills to analyze complex challenges and the technical prowess to devise practical solutions, ensuring they are not passive recipients of technological advancements but active participants in shaping their direction.