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.
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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.
