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Good science teachers capitalize on the "aha" moments and work hard to help students not only understand science, but also foster a lifelong learning in science. Why is this so important? Because science is the one subject that encompasses everything in life and helps students be curious, ask questions, and make connections as to why the world exists as it does. It is the backdrop for understanding our world, and helps us to explain and appreciate it in new ways. 1 Science is the "S' in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. We define STEM education as the preparation of students in competencies and skills in the four disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and math). A successful STEM education provides students with science, math, and engineering/technology in sequences that build upon each other and can be used with real-world applications. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators. Innovation leads to new products and processes that sustain our economy. This innovation and science literacy depends on a solid knowledge base in the STEM areas. It is clear that most jobs of the future will require a basic understanding of math and science-10-year employment projections by the U.S. Department of Labor show that of the 20 fastest growing occupations projected for 2014, 15 of them require significant mathematics or science preparation. - See more at: https://www.isa.org/standards-and-publications/isa-publications/intech-magazine/2010/september/why-stem-education-is-important/#sthash.WOLuwEXC.dpuf

As always, you delivered a good definition.

This article defines STEM education and explains why it is important.

This a very good article. It is very informative.

For my undergrad, one of my professor's was working on a smart phone app to help with Dendrology for students currently learning the extremely boring subject. It's a really cool idea, and caused me to be very interested in a wide variety of education related apps on my smartphone. I think smart phones has the potential to take education the next mile, but much like video games they need the extra little push to help accomplish stem education.

10 of the best apps for education As iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches become included in curriculum, here are several education apps you might enjoy As iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches become more integrated in classrooms, educators and students are looking for new ways to apply them to the learning process.

Ipads and Ipods are becoming a huge part of education. Unfortunately there are a limited amount of devices in my school, but whenever I can get them, my students love playing and creating on IOS devices. At the EdTech conference this year, they discussed BYOD (bring your own devices). I thought this was an interesting way to keep students up to date without stressing the schools budget.

My view: The increasing necessity for STEM education Print Font [+] [-] 11 Comments » By Sidharth Oberoi For the Deseret News Published: Thursday, Feb. 20 2014 12:00 a.m. MST Share71 Share52 Tweet4 0 0 A closer look at U.S. unemployment statistics shows that even with unemployment still at historically high levels, large numbers of jobs are going unfilled. Most of these jobs have one very important thing in common - the need for STEM education. Shutterstock Enlarge photo» Summary A closer look at U.S. unemployment statistics shows that even with unemployment still at historically high levels, large numbers of jobs are going unfilled. Most of these jobs have one very important thing in common - the need for STEM education. There is a distinct educational disconnect that we need to resolve today. 1 The real word application of science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, is increasingly important in the workforce while science and technology are becoming less emphasized in today's classrooms. The ability for students to gain access to the critical skills these subjects offer is critically important as the future workforce is projected to be dominated by those possessing technology and science skills over the next several decades.

Resources, links, legistative information

STEM defenders

I liked this so much, I was planning to post it, too.

video explaining the value of STEM in education

I enjoyed this video very much.

Explains what STEM is and how it can affect education.

The mission of the NEED Project is to promote an energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, business, government and community leaders to design and deliver objective, multi-sided energy education programs. NEED works with energy companies, agenciesand organizations to bring balanced energy programs to the nation's schools with a focus on strong teacher professional development, timely and balanced curriculum materials, signature program capabilities and turn-key program management.NEED Quick Links Check out the photos, slideshow, and winners from the 32nd Annual Youth Awards Program on our Youth Awards page.

This definitions draws a lot on the history of TPACK with Shulman but breaks it down very nicely at the end of the article. Excerpt: "Doering, Scharber, Miller and Veletsianos (2009) reference a doctoral paper produced by Cox (2008). Through this paper, Cox identifies over 89 definitions of TPACK. Through these definitions, Cox creates an expansive definition of the true nature of TPACK: TPACK is the knowledge of the dynamic, transactional negotiation among technology, pedagogy, and content and how that negotiation impacts student learning in a classroom context. The essential features are (a) the use of appropriate technology (b) in a particular content area (c) as part of a pedagogical strategy (d) within a given educational context (e) to develop students' knowledge of a particular topic or meet an educational objective or student need. (p. 317)"

The article "What is TPACK" most certainly gave me a better grasp on the framework as well. What stood out to me the most was the following statement: "The essential features are (a) the use of appropriate technology (b) in a particular content area (c) as part of a pedagogical strategy (d) within a given educational context (e) to develop students' knowledge of a particular topic or meet an educational objective or student need." I think this statement beautifully ties all the concepts and shows how important it is to connect these concepts. This reminds me of our STEM discussions and how in order for it to be effective all four disciplines had to be integrated, not isolated. I think TPACK is making the same statement loud and clear. We need to develop ideas to connect all three components as oppose to focusing on them individually. I think the "Tpack(age)" can strike some teachers as very inspirational and others with a feeling of change and overwhelming. I am glad to see that more and more districts are starting to introduce and rely on this framework, which will definitely help it become a future trend. However, in some cases it upsets me that some teachers are so close-minded to change. Don't get me wrong-I know that in some instances it may be a huge learning curve but having an open mind to the concept can at least instigate more support for the TPACK framework (which could include funding, proper training, etc.).

Ok, think I am starting to get this Diigo site a little bit.

This is an excellent resource for me. I will able to use it to help me in many ways.

This site provides educational movies for K-3 students. Homework Help, leveled quizzes, games and activities for kids. Exceptional resource for teachers and homeschools. I use this site very often.

After I wrote the comment, I saw the brainpop.com site and was impressed with it none the less.

I like Brainpop for starting conversation in my AP classes.

A brief 10-minute video describing the importance of STEM education and its implications. Posted by Chesterfield County Public Schools (ccpsva). 19 Dec 2008

I completely agree with Tristan, it is always awesome to see stuff that we talk about in our coursework being implemented in the field. I feel like sometimes important topics to me are forgotten when we translate them into teaching in the classroom, but this proves me wrong. And makes me feel great about the future of STEM education.

I had never heard of "STEM" until a Chesterifield CPS principal mentioned it. I had to stop her and ask what "STEM" was, which, as a scientist, was very embarrassing. I think it is great that CCPS has embraced the synergistic effect of STEM subjects functioning together. Awesome!

This is a great tool for teachers to find great tools for Earth Science education- it provides lesson plan ideas as well as great interactive tools/resources that can be incorporated into the lesson plan. It is specific to Earth Science Education, but I think it is a great site for teachers to find a complied list of resources for individual topics in the discipline.

Huge library of educational videos to help you learn.

Noteworthy statements in this document: - "the three sets of activity types (conceptual knowledge building, procedural knowledge building, and knowledge expression) are presented including compatible technologies that may be used to support each type of learning activity" - "technologies listed in the tables are meant to be illustrative" this work is based upon : Millar, R. & Driver, R. (1987). Beyond processes. Studies in Science Education, 14, 33-62. National Research Council. (2000). Inquiry and the national science education standards.Washington, DC: National Academy Press. This article's citation: Blanchard, M. R., Harris, J., & Hofer, M. (2011, February). Science learning activity types. Retrieved from College of William and Mary, School of Education, Learning Activity Types Wiki: http://activitytypes.wmwikis.net/file/view/ScienceLearningATs-Feb2011.pdf

The writer of this article mentions a concern that her and her teacher colleagues have about preparing their students to be "independent thinkers and problem solvers" ahead of "good standardized test takers". I really feel this should be a very important emphasis with regards to effective STEM education.

An interesting article about why students may not pursue STEM related degrees

Interesting article. My son started off as an engineering major. But after his first semester, he decided that engineering wasn't for him and he changed his major to education. It wasn't that he didn't know about STEM. He even participated in STEM internships in high school. I think the "M" ran him away. He didn't want to deal with all the math that goes with engineering.

It just goes to prove that active teaching is essential in all subject areas, not just those involving STEM. Students need to be taught critical thinking skills, not just memorization of facts.

Innovation to me is the enhancement of education using customized tools. Recently, there has been great buzz about promoting SMART technologies- a collaborative leaning software that accommodates a variety of learning styles- promoting varied instruction. The SMART notebook collaborative learning software is the world's leading lesson creation software that opens options for interactive lessons that support student-centered learning. Of the vast technologies within this field I seemed to find SMART boards as a very innovative tool for classroom instruction. A SMART board is basically an interactive white board that allows teachers to project a website or image from the laptop to the white board. These SMART boards are capable of storing and saving lessons as well as turning simple lessons into more interactive and customized ones geared to enhance student learning. I think this application is more useful in disciplines such as Science because science changes all the time and has the ability to be much "active" using the web- this is not to say that it cannot be useful in the other disciples however.