Defying A Simple Definition By Jonathan Gerlach: An Analysis

In the shifting landscape of higher education today, questions continue to be raised about the value of a liberal arts education. It is constantly claimed that subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math, are more valuable in today’s economy and culture than a liberal arts major such as philosophy or history. In the essay “Tuning in to Dropping Out” Alex Tabarrok argues that majors in the STEM field are worth more than those in the liberal arts. He claims that “It matters what subjects students study, and subsidies should focus on the subjects that matter the most” (Tabarrok 17). He even goes as far as to say that “An argument can be made for subsidizing students in fields with potentially large spillovers, such as microbiology,

Michael S. Teitelbaum argues in his report, “ The Myth of the Science and Engineering Shortage” that while it may be true that there is an increase in STEM jobs in the US, the fact is for the majority of STEM jobs the wages have been stagnant or declining, indicating that there is no demand for STEM graduates. Teitelbaum continues by stating that it is very simple to claim there is a shortage in STEM by hand-picking specialized fields in STEM that may currently have a shortage due to location and specific years, as a result of changing technology, But to state that all STEM related occupations are experiencing a shortage because a few specialized fields are experiencing a shortage is dangerous as it paints a false a narrative of reality to pursuers’ of STEM degrees. In addition when comparing the unemployment rate of occupations such as registered nurses, physicians, dentists, and lawyers to occupations in STEM, that proponents of STEM have valiantly claimed are experiencing a massive shortage, the unemployment for STEM occupations is staggering. With recent graduates suffering the most with unemployment rates in engineering and computer science above seven percent, as well as an unemployment rate hovering slightly below twelve percent for graduates in information systems ( Teitelbaum). Teitelbaum states that while it may be true that the US is consistently scoring in the middle in international assessments, they are still producing a third of all high-performing students in science and fourteen percent of high-performing students in math. In addition, he states he is not against the push for science and math, as he believes all high school students should be adept in both, but that there is “a big disconnect between this broad educational imperative and

When the debate between STEM and Liberal Education arise the underlying impression of those that support segregating the importance of these two focuses challenge that Liberal

STEM teaching is the acronym of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM teaching gives you a higher income. It’s part of our daily lives; technology would be our smart phones, smartboards, computers, and tablets. It’s estimated that 80% of jobs available for the years to come will require having math and science skills. “Growing field- 1 in 20 jobs are said to be STEM related by the year 2018” (Dominique Waldron). I think STEM teaching is a smart

In 2005, three controversial reports on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education were published. These reports brought attention to the reality of STEM careers and education. Our nation was told to gravitate towards careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to help boost the morale of Americans and our global economy ranking; however, recent studies reveal that there are not enough jobs available for the amount of STEM graduates the U.S. is producing each year. In May 2005, Innovate America was published addressing a majority of the issues regarding the Global Economy. In July 2005, Tapping America's Potential (TAP) was published by a handful of corporate leaders and presidents of universities;

Leading actors get the spotlight, and the rest of the cast then gets shadowed. These supporting actors may be just as, if not more, important than the lead, but the attention the lead gets dwarfs the attention that should be given to the supporting actors. This analogy is a representation of the role of liberal arts in the STEM majors. Liberal arts are often pushed to the side to make way for multiple calculus, science, and technology courses, effectively reducing both the room and need for liberal arts, and this trend is perpetuated as our world shifts to be more technology dependent. This shift is not only detrimental to the students that it restricts from obtaining a liberal education,

Giraldus Cambrensis, known more commonly as Gerald of Wales, was a complex mix of nationalities far greater than his name implies. Understanding Gerlad’s writings of The History and Topography of Ireland and The Journey Through Wales and the Description of Wales can only be done when analyzed in context. It is vital to evaluate how his diverse background and calculated reasons for the descriptions of the Welsh and Irish people influenced his writing. And furthermore, it is imperative to use Gerald’s writings to consider if his writings accurately reflect English attitudes of Ireland and Wales.

Wisconsin representative Mark Pocan once said “We know that to compete for the jobs of the 21st century and thrive in a global economy, we need a growing, skilled and educated workforce, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Americans with bachelor's degrees have half the unemployment rate of those with a high school degree.” Mark Pocan recognizes that the majority of unskilled jobs could soon be replaced by machines and robots. He was urging the people to focus their job paths on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) majors because that industry is creating the most jobs and giving great long term benefits. As technology develops, it starts to replace basic repetitive jobs that could be accomplished

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics otherwise known as STEM, provides the new wave of academic excellence for students of the 21st century. It is an exciting time to be scholar. STEM students enjoy a rigorous cross-curricular education that allows them to undertake competitive coursework placing them on their own playing field.

We all have a future career in our minds. Whether it is being a lawyer or a school teacher, there are many careers for students. The STEM field has many career opportunities for students and college students. A career I dream of doing in the STEM field is being a statistician.

Liberal Arts is no longer what it used to be. Throughout the years it has lost the public’s support, and its importance has begun to be questioned. Although it has been looked down upon, liberal arts possesses many qualities that are vital to an exceptional education. Yale’s faculty claim that liberal arts aim is “not to teach that which is peculiar to any one of the professions, but to lay the foundation which is common to them all” This certainly does not exclude STEM education. A strong education in the liberal arts is key to longterm success in a STEM career incorporating the ability to think critically, to become better people and better working professionals, and to reinstall liberal learning to its proper place in higher education.

I was born with a keen curiosity and I find it very difficult to stop wondering how things work, especially if it includes STEM. Born and raised in a poor family where opportunities were both rare and expensive, I struggled as much as I could to never stop being fascinated by nature, and in part, I have indeed been successful. In fact, I believe that this struggle helped me outrank everyone during my high school and help me achieve significant accomplishments, such as being finalist in my country’s largest software development competition. I came to the United States with hopes and dreams of further exploring my interests. Here at Southeastern, I have been enrolled in a dual major program in computer science and physics. Since it is extremely hard for my parents who are going to retire within this year to fund for my education, I have to rely on scholarship awards for the continuation of my education at Southeastern. Thus, I am hereby applying for the J.E. and Mattye Lou Martin Scholarship and if possible, Norman Higginbotham Scholarship. Let me demonstrate my passion regarding STEM with a few examples.

As a direct result, these graduates are much more prepared to go out into the real world and find work because, the economy is going through the wave of technology. Many jobs are no longer necessary, but jobs which include those of the acronym, STEM are now the norm in the United States’ economy.

Ever since the Cold War in the 1940’s, the United States has increased its power as a global leader- increasing its need for professions requiring STEM knowledge to keep up with other nations in these fields (Bruce-Davis, Gubbins, Gilson, Villanueva). President Obama is continuing this trend and wants students to "move from the middle to the top of the pack in science and math" (Dept. of Ed). With that initiative, the president’s 2015 educational budget proposal provides 170 million dollars for innovation STEM courses and teacher programs and awards to increase STEM knowledge in schools. A study on six STEM-focused schools across the nation

The main STEM courses or science, technology, engineering, and math courses are constantly be changed and re-connected in so many unique ways. For example in some science cases when using formulas you must use the proper mathematical equation, in that, to become an engineer in any type branch you must have basic math skills. Also, the technology part of the STEM topics is the main part of scientific factors.