importance of STEM in schools

24 Facts 'n' Stats About the Importance of STEM in Schools

The rise of internet media and 24/7, 500-channel television has led to a lot of sensationalism in “news.” You can hardly avoid hearing about the latest upheaval in politics, Hollywood, economics, or education. Many recent headlines have lamented the dismal state of education in America. Separating facts from frightful fiction means uncovering real evidence, not collecting chyrons and crises. Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in particular is a hot-button topic, and, because of its national importance, STEM deserves honest appraisal. 

Real Crisis or Hype?

Consider how our nation advances in technology, manufacturing, innovation, and invention. Henry Ford did not invent the automobile; he perfected its mass production. Edison’s team, not Edison alone, invented the light bulb. Steve Jobs did not invent the personal computer; he redesigned it, creating a demand where none existed. 

We need creative thinkers who can see beyond the horizon, forge new products with existing raw materials, and generate demand. To propel our nation forward, we need smart young adults fluent in STEM subjects. Just as we must have fit and healthy citizens for military readiness, we need rigorous thinkers for economic readiness. We need citizens who excel in the courses many students shy away from in today’s secondary and postsecondary schools: 

  1. Mathematics
  2. Biomedical engineering
  3. Software development
  4. Computer systems analysts
  5. Medical science

STEM Job Readiness

Victory Media, whose STEM Jobs program seeks to inspire young people toward STEM vocations, rates schools providing suitable STEM programs. At Victory Media’s STEM Jobs website, high school students can uncover what STEM type fits them best, learn about STEM Jobs approved employers, and find STEM Jobs approved schools. 

A school may have a STEM program, but if it does not guide graduates well, it is not helpful in improving our nation’s STEM readiness. Schools approved as STEM Jobs schools must meet four criteria: 

  1. The school offers STEM programs applicable to real-world jobs
  2. The institution has programs, resources and industry contacts to help students get jobs
  3. The school attracts and supports a diverse faculty with STEM expertise and a diverse student body
  4. The school has specific resources dedicated to supporting STEM student achievement and success

Mission Possible

The federal government wants to help students pursue education in the vital STEM fields: 

  • Cybersecurity
  • Computer science
  • Information assurance

The Department of Education identifies three “employability skills” as part of its Framework: 

  1. Applied Knowledge: Thoughtful integration of academic knowledge balanced with technical skills, put to use in practical workplace situations
  2. Effective Relationships: Interpersonal skills and traits that help you communicate and work with clients, coworkers and supervisors
  3. Workplace Skills: Organizational and analytical skills needed to perform work

By attending a STEM jobs school, you could get all three of these excellent qualities with every lab, class and project. You become part of a mission to add to the nation’s strengths. 

ECPI University: STEM Jobs Approved

With ECPI University’s continued rank on the STEM Jobs Approved College list, you already know the school can provide you an exceptional education at a great value that will propel you into a science, technology, engineering or mathematics degree you will love. Did you also know ECPI University is fourth in the country in the total number of undergraduate degrees awarded to African-Americans in the fields of Computer Science, Engineering, and Engineering Technologies combined*? Contact ECPI University today to learn what makes our programs the ideal fit for your needs. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

*IPEDS Database, U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences National Center for Education Statistics 

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