A STEM Education Declaration of Independence in 1776 Characters
No, the World Economic Forum doesn’t “own the science” as it claims — even when it’s correct on certain issues.
This document was drafted in response to a growing number of concerns voiced by those within the STEM education community throughout the Collective West, in collaboration with representatives from BRICS+ nations — many of which choose to remain anonymous for fear of retribution.
We, the undersigned educators, researchers, and advocates for STEM education, declare our independence from the World Economic Forum and any other organization or entity that seeks to impose its vision of STEM education on our communities.
We believe that STEM education should be accessible to all learners, regardless of their socio-economic status, race, gender, or any other factor that might otherwise limit their opportunities. We reject the notion that STEM education is solely a means to an end. Rather, we see STEM education as a fundamental human right, an essential component of a well-rounded education that prepares learners to engage with and contribute to the world around them.
We believe that STEM education must be inquiry-based, hands-on, and collaborative. Learners must be active participants in the learning process, not passive recipients of information. STEM education must be grounded in real-world problems and challenges, and learners must be encouraged to apply their knowledge and skills to address those challenges.
We believe that STEM education must be inclusive and culturally responsive. It must reflect the diversity of learners and communities it serves and must be designed to engage learners from a range of cultural backgrounds and perspectives. We reject the notion that there is a one-size-fits-all approach to STEM education and recognize that effective STEM education requires sensitivity to local contexts and needs.
We call on all stakeholders in STEM education, including governments, schools, non-profits, and industry, to prioritize the principles of inclusivity, inquiry-based learning, and real-world problem-solving in their policies and practices. We urge all stakeholders to invest in the development of STEM educators who are knowledgeable, skilled, and committed to the principles outlined.
We stand united in our commitment to STEM education and we reject any attempts to co-opt or take control of the international movement for narrow economic or political purposes.
Signed,
A Coalition of Concerned STEM Advocates,
Practitioners & StakeholdersNote: Spacing prompts have been excluded which are often counted as “characters” when using popular tracking applications. This is an open document and your feedback is welcome.
Andrew B. Raupp is the Founder / Executive Director @stemdotorg. “Democratizing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education through sound policy & practice…”
