Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

(STEM) Focus

November 3, 2012Kenmore Middle School

Arlington, Virginia

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Facts (from longitudinal nationwide studies)

We are only #23rd in world producing STEM degrees and #48 in quality K-12 STEM education. (USA trails Spain, Portugal, Turkey).

4th graders only rank 31st (out of 36 developed nations) in mathematics* and 8th in science among developed countries. (We used to be #1 in both math & science).

89% of middle school students would rather do chores than do their math homework.

In 2011 only 33% of 8th graders scored proficient in science, passed math, or are interested in STEM majors and careers.

Only 6% of high school seniors will earn bachelor’s degrees in a STEM field.

* The Daily Progress – May 13, 2012

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Elementary school children and most teachers are neither knowledgeable nor aware of the importance of STEM education. Consequently many students undertake studies that are easier and less demanding than STEM subjects and majors.

Only 18% of high school seniors are rated as science proficient; 33% as math proficient. Only 17% are interested in STEM careers. * 25% of African-American students are interested in STEM education but are not proficient in math.*

K-12 science education “turning point”--- 7th/8th grade Algebra.

Main problem with STEM student shortages is expectations, or lack thereof. (60% of students find school boring, lack motivation to learn. ~ 25% of charter schools actually work as designed. 90% of teachers still use the traditional approach of teaching). Only 20% of engineering students are female.*

About 900,000 college students enter science and engineering programs each year, but these programs have the lowest retention among all disciplines. (2007 – only 137,000 U.S. citizen students completed a 4-year STEM degree).

* The Daily Progress – May 13, 2012

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So … whatSo … what’’s the solution??? s the solution??? President’s “Race to the Top” program identifies areas

where we can improve STEM education.

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Council on Jobs and Competitiveness

In 2011 created President Obama created the council to stimulate interest in engineering education and careers. Council will roll out critical elements for success, including…

Goal 1: Increase college “output” of engineers by 10,000/year (an increase from 120,000 to 130,000 --- compare to 1,000,000 year in China and India).

Goal 2: Require commitment and support from top of all U.S. firms that employ engineers.

Goal 3: Encourage companies to offer mentoring programs, internships, job commitments for engineering students.

“Uteach” Program President Obama’s administration has also placed

emphasis on the relatively new STEM teaching corps called “Uteach.”

Available at 34 universities in 16 states. Nearly 6,000 college students enrolled and 80% of alumni are still in the classroom after 5 years.

Cited as a model that could “transform the quality of our science and mathematics teaching.”

Bottom line…a series of courses that combine practical teaching experience --- before committing to the program, students must teach lessons at a real school to see if they like it --- with educational, mathematical and scientific theory.

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What will be different from the traditional teaching approach

Traditional teaching & learning approach (i.e., lecture, preach) studies show that fewer than 30% of what students were taught was actually learned ---method not effective.

Replace it with “intelligence-based” teaching employing “hands-on” learning experiences (i.e., robotics, stimulating and creative science fair projects, experiments, inventions, computer-simulated math/science games).

Requires a cultural paradigm shift.

Establish President’s Council of Advisors on Science & Technology – a commitment of parents, teachers and communities.

Essential --- get kids engaged and involved with STEM education before they are ten years old.

For example, on 12/3/11, in Harrisonburg, VA, a “LEGO League Competition” was held. Started by For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (“FIRST”).04/21/23 7

An organization dedicated to cultivating an interest in science and technology in young people, featured 96 teams of students, ages 10 – 14, competing against each other as they perform tasks using robots built from LEGOs.

Greene County students with LEGO Robot “Gollum.”

March 2012 – Washington, DC Convention Center - FIRST Robotics Challenge Regional Competition held. 63 teams competed for 3 days with 114 matches. One of 52 regional competitions nationwide…winners proceeded to championships in St. Louis.*

Teachers – recruit and pay top quality teachers --- essential to provide students with effective instruction, feedback and guidance to shape their thinking abilities.

04/21/23 8* The Daily Progress – May 13, 2012

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Motivate and inspire K-12 students to pursue STEM education and careers involves creating science and technology into a “sport” - better yet a “super-sport.”

Explore the mysteries of our universe --- a great means to interest, challenge and inspire children to pursue a STEM education. The universe is still expanding and only less than 6% of it is known. There is a whole lot of “other” physics out there for us to discover.

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Great STEM news…a student incentive!Great STEM news…a student incentive! Jobs requiring science, technology, engineering, math

are increasing 4X faster than overall job growth.

Graduates with engineering bachelor’s degrees have the highest average starting salaries compared to all other disciplines.

The median salary of STEM professions is more than double the median salary of the entire U.S. workforce.(In 2009 STEM salaries ave. = $77,000 --- far above national average of $43,000).

By 2014…2.5M STEM jobs will be available.

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For example, in 1970, Intel (largest microprocessor in market) started with 450 engineers. Now employs 52,000). Plans to double their internships emphasizing “hands on” training.

Council will plan on sessions at major universities to engage students and discuss incentives while developing a consortium of committed companies.

In August 2011, Council held “listening-and-action” session with deans from America’s top engineering colleges, students majoring in engineering, match, science and company representatives to share perspectives…determine next steps.

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What SAME Northern Virginia Post (http://www.novasame.org)

does to Support STEM

Support MATHCOUNTS each year providing scorers, proctors and judges. (Lynchburg Chapter, Northern Virginia Regional competition).

Provide robust K-12 Outreach Program at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology. (#1 high school of its kind in USA). Program explains what engineers and architects actually do in their professions. Encourages kids to pursue science, engineering and math professions.

Support annual science fairs … Diocese of Arlington, Thomas Jefferson

STEM, Fort Belvoir Elementary School (examples of building construction, design, electrical, mechanical engineering).

Support Operation Patriotic National Ocean Sciences Bowl (High School) – April

Mt. Vernon HS STEM ProgramApril

Robinson HS Junior Awards Ceremony – May

Centreville HS Underclass Awards Ceremony - June

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Support, mentor and fund the operation of UVA and GMU Student Chapters by providing programs, Job Fairs, Resume Writing and Job Interviewing Workshops, internships and jobs for students majoring in engineering, architecture or an engineering-related profession. (Post has nearly 100 college Student Members).

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Fort Belvoir Boy Scout Hut Project - Through the oversight of the 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power), soldiers, members and Sustaining Members provided oversight, funding, volunteer labor and mentorship to the Fort Belvoir Boy Scout Troop to improve the building and bring it up to today’s building code requirements. Assisted the scouts the opportunity to earn engineering merit badges. Recognized the scouts’ efforts and provided them the opportunity to present their work at the Post’s “Celebration of the Future Engineer” Day event in August 2010.

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Annually sponsors and funds several Student and Young Members to attend Society Regional and National Conferences or leadership training workshops.

Annually awards six $2500 scholarships to high-performing students majoring in engineering, architecture or engineering-related professions. (Graduating high school students can apply).

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Supports the Society’s Annual Engineering and Construction Summer Camps by sponsoring and funding three rising high school juniors or seniors to attend three camps each summer.

--- U. S. Army Research Center (Vicksburg, MS)--- U. S. Marine Corps (Camp Lejeune, NC)--- U. S. Navy Seabees (Port Hueneme, CA)--- U. S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO)

Annually sponsor a “Celebration of the Future EngineerCelebration of the Future Engineer”” ProgramProgram to provide the Summer Camp students an opportunity to explain and show us what they learned the past summer. .

STEM professionals --- coach high school math teams, volunteer as science fair judges, mentor students, provide corporate internships.*

STEM companies such as Rockwell-Collins (manufacture high-tech aviation equipment) hosts Introduction to Girl in Engineering events --- encourages employees to visit local classrooms to tell students what they do.*

LEGO manufacturer provides schools with “STEM kits” --- materials that students can use to make robots. *

Corporations such as Raytheon have been a supporter of STEM education in Virginia…Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology, other schools. *

04/21/23 18* The Daily Progress – May 13, 2012

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How You Can Help Out --- Volunteer Take the opportunity to talk with the AAUW leaders

about their program(s), exchange business cards, and ask what you can do to help out. It will notwill not involve a major commitment of time and effort on your part --- you will be helping out our Nation, Post and students --- and, best of all, you will feel great about what you are doing!!

MATHCOUNTS, local middle and high school science fairs.

See me following today’s program to learn more about SAME opportunities.

Or, email me at jameshdonahue@comcast.net and let me know your areas of interest and I will find a place for you on a committee or program.