STEM  Lab  for  MSPCSTom  Gantt

What  is  STEM?STEM  is  important  because  it  pervades  every  part  of  our  lives.• Science is  everywhere  in  the  world  around  us.  • Technology is  continuously  expanding  into  every  aspect  of  our  lives.  

• Engineering• Mathematics is  in  every  occupation,  every  activity  we  do  in  our  lives.  

• STEAM  – Adding  ART

STEM Education• By  exposing  students  to  STEM  and  giving  them  opportunities  to  explore  STEM-­‐related  concepts,  they  will  develop  a  passion  for  it  and  have  the  option  pursue  a  job  in  a  STEM  field.  

• A  curriculum  that  is  STEM-­‐based  has  real-­‐life  situations  to  help  the  student  learn.  (Problem-­‐based  learning)

• STEM  activities  provide  hands-­‐on  and  minds-­‐on  lessons  for  the  student.  

• Making  math  and  science  both  fun  and  interesting  helps  the  student  to  do  much  more  than  just  learn.

Why  is  STEM  Education  So  Important?

• According  to  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Commerce,  STEM  occupations  are  growing  at  17%,  while  other  occupations  are  growing  at  9.8%.  

• STEM  degree  holders  have  a  higher  average  income  compared  to  non-­‐STEM  degree  careers.  

• Science,  technology,  engineering  and  mathematics  workers  play  a  key  role  in  the  sustained  growth  and  stability  of  the  U.S.  economy.

Why  is  STEM  Education  So  Important?U.  S.  Labor  Department,  the  10  fastest  growing  occupations  from  2008-­‐2018,  and  their  median  wages  are:• Biomedical  engineers,  $77,400• Network  systems  and  data  communications  analysts,  $71,100• Home  health  aides,  $20,460• Personal  and  home  care  aides,  $19,180• Financial  examiners,  $70,930• Medical  scientists,  except  epidemiologists,  $72,590• Physician  assistants,  $81,230• Skin  care  specialists,  $28,730• Biochemists  and  biophysicists,  $82,840• Athletic  trainers,  $39,640• And,  arguably,  all  of  these  are  STEM  careers!

Why  is  STEM  Education  So  Important?

• STEM  education  creates  critical  thinkers,  increases  science  literacy,  and  enables  the  next  generation  of  innovators.

• It  is  clear  that  most  jobs  of  the  future  will  require  a  basic  understanding  of  math  and  science.  

• Despite  these  compelling  facts,  mathematics  and  science  scores  on  average  among  U.S.  students  are  lagging  behind  other  developing  countries.

Why  is  STEM  Education  So  Important  in  the  Miami  area?

• The  public  school  system  has  not  invested  in  STEM  or  Science  in  K-­‐5  for  the  past  13  years.

• Due  to  Florida  State  testing  of  science  only  in  grades  5  and  8.  (High  School  has  end  of  course  testing  for  Biology).

• Public  Schools:  Middle  Schools  and  Magnet  Schools  do  offer  more  science  instruction  – but  must  make  up  for  K-­‐5  deficit.  

• Outstanding  school  choice  exists  – but  students  must  be  prepared.

• Charter  Schools  and  Private  Schools  are  leading  the  way  in  K-­‐5  STEM/STEAM  initiatives.

• Ex:  Cushman,  Riviera  Day  School

Who  Benefits  from  STEM  Education?Every  student  benefits  – but  girls  have  the  greatest  potential  for  

growth

• Female  graduates  hold  60  percent  of  all  bachelor’s  degrees.• But,  less  than  20  percent of  bachelor’s  degrees  in  computer  

science  go  to  women.• Today,  women  hold  only 27  percent of  all  computer  science  jobs,  

and  that  number  isn’t  growing.  • A  report by  the  U.S.  Department  of  Commerce  found  only  one  in  

seven  engineers  is  female.  • Additionally,  women  have  seen  no  employment  growth  in  STEM  

jobs  since  2000.

Who  Benefits  from  STEM  Education?

• STEM  education  helps  to  bridge  the  ethnic  and  gender  gaps  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  priority.  

Science  &  Engineering  Practices  in  Education

Typical  High  School  with  AP  Courses  and  IB  Programs

CTE  =  Career  and  Technical  Education

Specialized  Schools  such  as  MAST  Academy

Partial  Immersion  works  best  for  most  Elementary  schools  =  MSPCS

Support  a  STEM  Lab  at  MSPCS

• A  STEM  lab  will  allow  all  students  to  explore  with  their  true  natural  curiosity.  

• STEM  is  fun  and  can  be  the  best  part  of  the  day  for  many  students.

• It  can  be  designed  for  all  ages  to  have  access  (pre-­‐k  to  grade  5).

• This  can  help  prepare  our  children  for  middle  school  and  high  school  success.