Problem of Practice (PoP) Statement
The STEM instructors at CCTC have numerous technologically advanced displays, such as robots and virtual welders, to recruit students and create excitement for the STEM programs. Unfortunately, once the students enroll and begin classes, the STEM instructors use lecture and standard laboratory activities that do not engage the students, which leads to a disappointing first-year experience for students (Reisel, Jablonski, Hosseini, & Munson, 2012), and as evidenced by the low retention rate (National Center for Education Statistics, 2016a), students are leaving CCTC. Thus, it is advantageous to reflect on the classroom experience in the STEM department and develop a plan of action to increase the retention rate at CCTC.
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Academic and social interactions for students between peers and faculty are, therefore, critical to design a strong network to assist and enable students to continue their education (Deil-Amen, 2011). However, many students at technical colleges have responsibilities that exclude them from participating in social and academic activities on campus (2011). Hence, the classroom is often the home-base for academic as well as social activities for these students (2011). Thus, the participant-researcher must utilize class time to assist in cultivating academic and social relationships for students. Therefore, to increase the retention rate at CCTC, this action research study creates a learning community, defined as a group of members who share common goals and engage in collaborative learning, (Tinto, 1997) in Electronic Circuits by implementing
My acceptance into the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program became one of my greatest experiences at North County High School. Throughout my STEM classes, I had learned to think more critically and creatively. STEM required us to collaborate to solve problems. This collaboration taught me proper communication and strong leadership skills which I utilized effectively during summer bridge projects and the community challenge projects that we did each year. One of the most significant community challenge projects that I did with a partner was design and print, using a 3-D printer provided from my school to create a cookie cutting prototype that helped modernize the production of cookies for a local bakery owner. Through
STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematic) includes some of the most versatile and important careers in the modern world. Most new developments that are making the world a better place to live are from the influences of STEM fields. As the world becomes more technologically developed there is an increase demand for students well-trained in the STEM related fields. To keep pace with this rapidly expanding area of the economy requires an adequate number of P-12 teachers with the necessary content knowledge and skills to train the next generation. Currently, Texas is facing a critical shortage of teachers with strong backgrounds in STEM. This STEM teacher shortage is impacting student learning and if too many teachers pursue degrees
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
Evaluation is vital to education, whether it is a new reform or a back to basics approach. STEM education remains open to interpretation. Drew states that the quality and efficacy of programs across the United States require quantitative and qualitative evaluations (2011). These studies should include the long-term benefits of grant funding and best practices for sustaining effective STEM programs when the grants and funds from corporate sponsors terminate (Johnson, 2014). Ultimately, the evaluation and research requires dissemination to schools across the country in order to affect the necessary reforms.
According to Joey Rider-Bertrand education is seeing a strange side due to technology and engineering. Teachers are struggling to keep up to date on all the new activities involving technology and engineering. Rider-Bertrand states that class sizes have increase while funding has decreased. All students have expectations to achieve proficiency on state tests and meet graduation requirements. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. According to Rider-Bertrand, education is more focused on technology and engineering in the STEM program.
From collaborative learning inside of the student’s clusters of desk to hands-on lessons in STEM discovery, Galaviz is continually working to push the STEM envelope at Garfield Elementary. She hosts a Saturday STEM club for 4th - 6th graders, and recently, through a two-year grant funded by NASA and a partnership with Boise State University, she has trail-blazed even more at home learning opportunities. For K-6, each classroom now has the ability to take STEM backpacks home over the weekend. With three different lesson plans, students can now bring STEM home, experimenting and creating with the help of their
Different learning theories, empirical evidence, and the implication of using those theories in the context of STEM education.
Alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are concerned about the inadequate representation of minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related professions. Consequently, DCHBCUAA STEM professionals have designed and organized an instructional hands-on workshop for students in grades 10-12. The workshop is designed to increase their awareness of the exciting opportunities available in the sciences and to provide an opportunity for students to talk to subject matter experts currently working in STEM occupations.
Hunter, B., & Austin, R. (2015). Building Community Through Online Learning in Colleges. College Quarterly, 18(1).
Effective practice involves children being able to get as much support possible, from the practitioners and other professionals, in order for them to achieve the Early Years Goals in the EYFs. For this to happen the practitioners will need to plan many activities revolving around the children’s individual needs and have many opportunities available in the setting for the children to develop their learning and development. Practitioners will also have to work in partnership with the children’s parents/carers as they are the ones that know their children best. A method that can be seen in most setting is a Home Dairy that is given to each child’s parent/carers. The idea of it is that when a child is in setting the practitioner is able to write what the child has done during that day (e.g. what they had for snack, what they play with or what activities they were involved in etc.) which then the parents/carers are able to see when the child goes home and if the parents/carers have any concerns they are able to write in the dairy and the practitioners
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
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
The United States Department of Education is committed to ensuring that all students have access to a quality Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education (“Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math”, n.d.). Despite this commitment, reports indicate a decline in STEM proficiency as well as a lack of qualified teachers to respond to the deficiency (Holdren, Lander, & Varmus, 2009). The lack of qualified STEM teachers has resulted in critical shortage areas in many districts across the United States, prompting policy reform allowing alternative certification pathways to alleviate shortages (“Alternative Routes”, n.d.). Even with a reduction in critical shortage areas, preliminary reports continue to show little or no
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.
Jeffrey Mervis interviewed educators about their efforts to improve undergraduate STEM education. Daniel Goroff, a mathematician at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California, tells his students, “Science is done in connected communities rather than