Written by: Andrew B. Raupp / @stemceo
If you’ve noticed drones buzzing about in the skies above your house, you are definitely not alone. Since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began issuing permits and lifting restrictions on recreational drone usage in 2010, demand has steadily climbed. By 2016, the consumer drone market was valued at $1.5 billion, and the latest BusinessWire report on the industry predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12 percent over the next decade.
As drones become less expensive to make and easier to use, it’s no surprise that regular people want a piece of the fun. Drones can be used like toys, just as remote control cars and airplanes are. They’re also a great way for amateur photographers and videographers to get amazing shots that would ordinarily require heavy equipment like cranes or even manned aircraft to achieve. …
Toymakers and brands lend a hand to science, technology, engineering and mathematics education
Written by: Andrew B. Raupp / @stemceo
If you were to close your eyes and imagine an inventor, what would you picture?
For most people, the image of a lone genius toiling away in solitude is a strong one. From Einstein figuring out physics formulas, to Edison in his patent office and Steve Jobs in his garage, many of our greatest thinkers needed lots of time and a space to work out their ideas before stunning the rest of the world with their innovations.
But some of the world’s greatest minds aren’t just determined to make something new. Instead, they strive to find ways to pass novel ideas on to others. These inventors are also educators, solving the problem of how to raise the next generation of scientists and engineers by providing new ways of learning. They are the tinkerers, toymakers, and entrepreneurs who continue to innovate, providing fun ways for students of all ages to internalize the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills that they will need to solve the problems of tomorrow. …
Improve science, technology, engineering & math outcomes with this practical knowledge
Written by: Andrew B. Raupp / @stemceo
In the rush to incorporate more STEM learning into school curricula, a major selling point has always been that STEM learning leads to better jobs. While it’s true that, on average, STEM jobs pay more than liberal arts jobs, the gap in pay tends to narrow over time.
First jobs in STEM will almost certainly pay more than entry-level positions in teaching or social work, but fast-changing tech fields require ongoing education, which is an expensive investment. …
An analysis of the country’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics education assets
Written by: Andrew B. Raupp / @stemceo
Launched in 2014, the Make in India initiative is aimed at rebuilding the Indian economy, transitioning away from its heavy reliance on the service sector and moving towards the creation of a global hub of manufacturing and innovation. It’s a huge effort for one of the world’s biggest and most vibrant nations, and one that requires vast amounts of infrastructure and investment.
India is also working hard to pivot into a post-COVID world by seeking investment and enticing investors to leave behind factories in China for more innovative — and less tariffed — shores. Companies like Apple are taking note and have already begun shifting production to India. This is all happening against the backdrop of huge growth in STEM jobs overall. …
Preserving An International Educational Movement
Written by: Andrew B. Raupp / @stemceo
Ask anyone what STEM education is all about, and they will dutifully rattle off the meaning of the acronym: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Dig a little deeper, and you’re likely to hear responses like these:
“Oh, my kid’s school has a great STEM program. There’s a new robotics club with cool gizmos to play with.”
“Schools should invest more in STEM because coding is an essential twenty-first century skill.”
“Having a good STEM program makes it easier to get into college, study computers, and get a high-paying tech job.”
While these ideas aren’t necessarily incorrect, they’re very telling about how we have been trained to see STEM over the past decade or so. Notice that each one of these responses focuses on coding and gadgets as shorthand for four entirely different fields of study. …
At the intersection of educational technology and pedagogy
Written by: Andrew B. Raupp / @stemceo
We’re approaching an important milestone for STEM education: The movement is nearing its 30th anniversary. The crucial, yet often overlooked, origins of the modern-day STEM movement began in the early 1990s with Dr. Charles E Vela through his work at the Center for the Advancement of Hispanics in Science and Engineering Education (CAHSEE).
That STEM turning the corner into full adulthood makes perfect sense, given its multidecade evolution and widespread appeal. The teaching of science, technology, engineering and math as a philosophy rather than siloed subjects and rote memorization has come into its own. In fact, we’re about to experience a long-awaited convergence of educational technology and STEM pedagogy that will finally realize a grand vision for STEM education. …
Addressing common mistakes to save time and money
Written by: Andrew B. Raupp / @stemceo
For STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) learning to be truly effective, it must be both a minds-on and hands-on endeavor. The reality of our fast-paced world is that it’s impossible to prepare students for the jobs of the future simply by teaching them rote content and subject matter. The computer science course taught today will be outdated in just a few years.
Instead, the most valuable STEM enrichment is the kind that focuses on skills that can be applied to a wide range of industries. The scientific method, creative problem-solving, TRIZ methodology and evidence-based planning / evaluation are always applicable. …
Do structured video game offerings have a place at school?
Written by: Andrew B. Raupp / @stemceo
Esports — video gaming organized into amateur and professional seasons of play and capstone tournaments — has exploded in popularity over the last several years. A report from Newzoo predicts that casual audiences will grow to some 307 million viewers by 2021, while Deloitte found that industry investment grew 837% between 2017 and 2018. Generation Z is the gaming generation, with 91% of children between ages 2 and 17 enjoying video games in some form.
Given the huge popularity of video games, the rise of esports should not be surprising. Many schools are now embracing esports, as students form clubs and begin to participate in organized leagues. A growing number of universities even offer esports as a varsity program on par with traditional college sports — including scholarships to play. …
Tips to Help Create an Optimal Learning Environment at Home with FREE Parent / Teacher Resource
Written by: Andrew B. Raupp / @stemceo
For parents whose children have been kept home from school, the coronavirus pandemic presents extra challenges. In addition to anxiety about the economy and your family’s health, you also want to keep kids calm, safe, happy, and educated. Researchers have already studied the “summer slide” — a tendency to regress in learning during summer vacation — but we don’t yet know what the potential for many months of disruption resulting from the spread of COVID-19 could mean for academic progress.
Fortunately, there are many ways to continue meaningful learning at home — in fact, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the plethora of resources and being shared to help pass time in doors constructively. To help you navigate your new normal as overseer of your child’s at-home education, try these tips for keeping homeschooling manageable as you shelter in place. …
Deviation And Evolution Perspectives Of A Broader, Popular Movement
Written by: Andrew B. Raupp / @stemceo
STEM as an acronym has a long, complex history that can make it difficult to reach consensus on exactly what this important educational movement is all about, but there are some basic features that many can agree on. The Congressional Research Service provides a solid definition:
“The term ‘STEM education’ refers to teaching and learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It typically includes educational activities across all grade levels — from preschool to post-doctorate — in both formal (e.g., classrooms) and informal (e.g., afterschool programs) settings.”
This sounds straightforward enough, but over the years there has been plenty of disagreement about where STEM comes from and where it’s going. I’ve already explored some of the “lost history” of the movement, but understanding the past is only part of the story. It’s also important to take a look at the current state of STEM to get a sense of where the future may lead. …
About
