Increasing Number Of Men And Women

Science education has been a controversial topic among employers and schools for years. Employers are requesting more STEM graduates yet the schools are unable to keep up with the rising demand. Unemployment rates continue to go up while positions in the science, technology, and engineering fields have remained open and unfulfilled. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education is vital to the position of the United States in the world standings in STEM research and design. Currently 3 of the 5 top positions in STEM research are held by Asian countries and sadly the United States doesn’t even fall in the top 10 for the list. There was once a time when the United States led the world in STEM research, but times have

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,

1. I have developed an interest in science during my high school career, and love watching new technology being created. I figure that I will most likely either continue on to medical school after I receive my undergraduate degree or try to work to design new technologies that will aid scientific research and study. Therefore, it was really a no-brainer for me to pursue various STEM related courses and subjects. In my opinion, the STEM field contributes to innovation and world progress more than any other fields. Without STEM fields, I most likely wouldn’t even be able to type this paper, or use the internet to submit my college application and scholarships. If the STEM field were to disappear, the world would stagnate. In order to prevent

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

51 percent of the United States is female but only 34.4 percent of doctors are women. While 90.4 percent of nurses are female (“Women in Medicine”; “Male Nurses Becoming”), the women who do become doctors earn an astounding 25 percent less than their male counterparts (Groves). These staggering figures are only a single piece in the larger overall lack of women in STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which has remained prevalent since the beginning of these fields. Although women are underrepresented in these STEM fields, this is not due to ineptitude, but instead it is a result of the force of societal stereotypes coupled with their wider range of abilities. The recent increase in women’s association with STEM seems

STEM Students Continue to Be Underrepresented in Schools Photo Credit: Black Youth Project Tiana Young is an incoming first-year college black student who wants to double major in aeronautical and mechanical engineering. Although Rensselaer Polytechnic University may not have been her first choice, this private institution is one of the best schools in the U.S. that specializes in science, math, technology, and engineering. However, what makes it less appealing to Young, is the school’s lack of diversity which is a huge concern for her. Young graduated from a high school that is almost entirely composed of black and Hispanic students.

The constant battle between humanities and STEM classes is based off the questions of which is more important, and which of those two will give an individual a better sense of the world around them. Humanities classes have always played a huge role in shaping a person’s view of the world around them and ultimately, their morals. Through classes such as cultural diversity and spirituality, we are taught many aspects of how to live a happy and plentiful life. STEM courses teach us basic knowledge of mathematics and science, but humanities can teach us who we are, where we came from, and what we are meant to be because it develops our sense of individuality.

This report navigates the current state of STEM demographic in the country. It examines the reasons why there are less females undertaking STEM majors and gives recommendations on the problems. A brief history on STEM is outlined and the discussion follows with in depth analysis on the subject. STEM is a very critical education discipline with an importance in the economy of the country. Much as it is important, few students choose a career path in STEM. Although, there are more than 50% female students in Colleges and Universities, 12% take STEM related course. Why is this? This report is a compilation of empirical data collected in journals on the same subject explaining

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,

Today’s college students have the opportunity and freedom to choose their major and their career path. Many factors influence the decision of a college student’s career paths including background, general interests, personal strengths, time commitment, and job outlook. Although many important decisions are made in college, one of the most important is the choice of major and career track. Out of hundreds of majors the science and engineering fields are under-represented by women. Although the numbers of women in science technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM, majors has been increasing in the past years, women still are in the minority in the STEM fields. In her study, Lona Whitmarsh

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.

In our ever evolving society we seem to be having a greater affinity to technical jobs and careers more integrated with our technology. It appears that we are heading into a world of Science, Technology , Engineering, and Mathematics or STEM. The STEM fields that are rapidly increasing relate to jobs that deal quite a bit with our newer technology and the creation and development of new and more efficient technologies. To compliment this increase in STEM careers, we need to focus our time, energy, and most of all capital on the lackluster STEM program in our school systems.

However, these percentages do not accurately determine whether or not that person would have a degree from a STEM field. According to Ma (2011, p. 1180), “43 percent of women who initially claimed a major in STEM ultimately attained their degree, compared with 38 percent of men who did so.” Despite 20.9% more men studying in the areas of natural sciences than women, 5% more women graduate in STEM fields than men. 50.5% of men and 71.4% of women are studying in the areas of social sciences/humanities which are considered non-STEM degrees. According to Ma’s (2011, p. 1181) figure 2 b. roughly 20% of women and 10% of men graduate with non-STEM degrees. The correlation of men and women that study in social sciences/humanities or non-STEM areas of study are similar to the men and women that have degrees in social sciences/ humanities or non-STEM area of study. The correlation is that there are more women than men that study and graduate in social sciences/ humanities or non-STEM areas of study. The original hypothesis was if there is a correlation of STEM and non-STEM areas of study to men and women then one can accurately predict the academic outcome of people with degrees in STEM and non-STEM. However, Ma’s (2011, p. 1181) figure 2 b. showed evidence that a larger percentage women obtained degrees in natural sciences than men did. This is controversial

A STEM education is a necessity in the United States because the country is lacking knowledgeable people in such fields. However, one is better equipped for multiple job and career positions with the addition of a liberal arts education. It is nearly impossible to transition to different careers with only vocational training. In 2003, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development studied math and science literacy among fifteen year olds. The United States was ranked number twenty-four in math literacy (Drew 27). They are behind countries such as Finland, Slovak Republic, and Hungary. Likewise, the United States was ranked number nineteen in science literacy (Drew 27). It is obvious that the country is behind. STEM education needs to be reformed at the secondary and post-secondary levels of schooling. Katrina Trinko, a member of USA TODAY’s Board of Contributors, agrees that more emphasis should be placed on STEM education; however, this emphasis should not be at the sacrifice of a good liberal arts education. She writes, “Even technology wizards can become more innovative with a solid background in liberal arts” (Trinko 6). A liberal arts education is beneficial to people in all career fields.

“Too many students aren’t sure what job they could get after four, five, or even six years of studying a certain major and racking up education loans”(255). Singletary is given the fact that numerous students are confused on their own majors even though they have studied for years. And parts of the students even start realizing their majors might be in a hopeless employment situation after they graduate from that particular field. Therefore, before choosing a field of study, it is necessarily worthwhile for students and parents to check out the majors whether in the highest or the lowest unemployment. According to new statistics on unemployment for recent college graduates by The Huffington Post this June, majoring in social science and creative fields, such as anthropology, film, fine art, etc. have earned the top three of the unemployment rate. In contrast, engineering technologies, math, and computer science remain at the top of the employment chart. Alex Tabarrok mentions the harsh unemployment rate in his article, “…More than half of all humanities graduates end up in jobs that don’t require college degrees…”(250). The society has never shown mercy to students who are unlikely to be employed with the majors they have. Graduating without employment must be one of the biggest nightmares for most students; however, selecting an in demand major can surely decrease the chances of being