Third graders at Greene County Elementary School will participate in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) project this coming week. During their normally scheduled library time, students will be able to explore, experiment, and design various projects using materials purchased through the school’s fall Scholastic book fair.
“This STEM opportunity will hopefully get students excited and eager to explore the many careers that can be found in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields of study,” said school media specialist Jenny Fisher.
According to Fisher, STEM seems to be the “buzzword” of the day, but STEM is critical to our future.
These four disciplines play a key role in the growth of our country. STEM education creates a generation of critical thinkers and innovators. STEM is important to us it influences everything we do. Science is found everywhere in the world around us. Technology is always growing and changing every aspect of our lives. Engineering is essential to the design of roads and bridges, but also to the changing global weather and environment. Mathematics is in every job and activity we do in our lives.
So, why STEM? The National Science Foundation writes that “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.”
