Manasi Rajan’s Post

My blog for today is on the challenges and the solution for improving STEM education in culturally diverse K-12 Schools. I look forward to your thoughts. https://lnkd.in/e__iKMap

In a new piece for The National Interest, I argue that America's inadequate STEM education has become a genuine national security concern. We won't remain a global innovation powerhouse unless we seriously strengthen STEM education, especially at the K-12 level. As I argue, this will largely be a matter of improving K-12 education overall, particularly at the state level. Still, there are steps that Congress, the Department of Education, and the White House’s Committee on STEM Education should take as well. https://lnkd.in/grMdkaPT

Why do we provide STEM education programs for preschool and elementary learners? Quite simply, it lays the foundation for a lifelong journey of exploration, problem-solving, and critical thinking that paves the way to their confidence in exploring STEM related careers after graduation. By introducing STEM at an early age, we assist educators in fostering curiosity, creativity, and a natural inclination to inquire about the world that gives young children the ability to work through problems. An early foundation in STEM cultivates essential skills such as observation, experimentation, and logical reasoning, empowering young minds to understand how things work and encouraging them to ask questions. When engaging in hands-on activities and playful learning experiences, children develop fundamental skills that prepare them for future challenges. Early exposure to STEM not only nurtures a passion for learning but also equips children with the tools they need to become adaptable problem solvers, laying a sturdy groundwork for their academic and professional futures. Follow us to learn more about how we're impacting youth through STEM and other youth mentoring programs and connect with us to find out how you can be a part of the journey. Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation

A recent a Gallup and Walton Family Foundation survey showed that 75% of Gen Z youth are interested in at least one type of STEM career, only 29% want to pursue specific STEM-related jobs in the future. A majority of middle school and high school students said their classes taught them real-world applications for math and science but didn’t have hands-on STEM activities.  The same report found exposure to STEM content in schools may be driving Gen Zers to pursue a career in the field, the study added. However, this year, a separate report released by the Education Department found public schools with high Black and Latino student enrollments offered fewer math, science and computer science courses than schools with low enrollments of those racial groups — meaning Black and Latino access to certain STEM courses remains inequitable. Arizona Educational Foundation aims to address these concerns with our teachSTEM initiative, a groundbreaking program designed to address Arizona's critical STEM teacher shortage by motivating junior high and high school students to pursue teaching degrees in STEM.    Did you know that the first time most students hear the term "STEM" or learn about STEM careers is usually from a teacher? teachSTEM is an early intervention, that not only provides access to STEM learning for students, but also builds awareness about the need for STEM teachers and job opportunities within mainstream STEM fields.  According to Educators Rising research, 60% of all high school teachers work less than 20 miles from where they attended high school. teachSTEM has the potential to not only inspire students to become STEM teachers, but to return home to their own communities as educators. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gnfQ3qRY

Great article about the ways in which out-of-school STEM spaces can facilitate positive STEM identity development for those historically excluded in formal STEM spaces. And I found this just in time for my preliminary exam oral defense! I think the article provides some great recommendations for practical approaches to ensure students feel a sense of belonging, achieve competence and performance of STEM skills, and develop agency in their learning trajectories. Based on their practical approach recommendations in Table 2, I am wondering what is limiting us from enacting these principles in formal, K-12 STEM spaces? As a former secondary science teacher and now science methods instructor, I know time and resources are always finite, but we have SO MANY great organizations to tap into now... Check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/gxJ4iibi

We are excited to share an insightful journey into the transformative world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, a realm where innovation meets imagination. We at Boutique Education have crafted a blog post that delves deep into the essence of STEM education and its pivotal role in preparing your child for a future brimming with opportunities. In a rapidly evolving world, STEM education is more than just an academic choice; it's a gateway to nurturing tomorrow's problem solvers, innovators, and leaders. Our blog post, "STEM Education: Preparing Your Child for the Future" offers a comprehensive look at how STEM disciplines shape young minds to tackle real-world challenges. It's not just about learning; it's about experiencing and understanding the world in a way that fuels curiosity and creativity. Here's a glimpse of what you'll discover: The integral components of STEM education and how they empower children. Real-life applications of STEM learning and its impact on a child's cognitive development. Tips and strategies for parents to foster a STEM-friendly environment at home. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply someone interested in the future of education, this blog post is a must-read. It invites exploring how STEM can be a transformative element in your child's education journey. Click here to read our Blog https://lnkd.in/eGsYEKFf

Edifying Teachers is pleased to join the Beyond100K national network. Extending the successful '100Kin10' work led by Talia Milgrom-Elcott, Beyond100K unites leading organizations to co-develop and implement solutions that will end the STEM teacher shortage by 2043, especially for those most excluded from STEM opportunities. Beyond100K recently engaged 600 young people, who shared their STEM stories. "They told us that when they felt excluded from STEM, they put aside their STEM dreams. When they belonged, their natural curiosity for STEM could take hold, and they pursued and persisted in STEM through college and beyond. Teachers create classrooms of belonging." Find out more about the 'Uncommission,' the Beyond100K map illustrating key challenges and levers, and the commitments we and our fellow partners have made to being integral to this solution! https://lnkd.in/eQGYcD3e

"Australia must make early STEM education a national education priority. However, this is only possible if early childhood educators have access to affordable, sustained, and evidence-based professional learning."     Check out this article from Dr James Deehan and Lena Danaia from Charles Sturt University and Little Scientists Project Director Emma McGarrity about the need to better support educators and teachers to develop their STEM teaching skills.    Full article here: https://lnkd.in/gvTKERr9 

In June we were thrilled to open our new STEM provision here at Tranby: The STEM Loft 🙌 This new provision allows us to expand on our classroom learning, giving Tranby children the opportunity to apply practical learnings to classroom principles. If you'd like to know more about the importance of early STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, have a read of our blog that tells you all you need to know! https://lnkd.in/eFtVqTxh

What do you think about the perspective of this STEM teacher who worked in Congress as an #AEF fellow and then Obama's White House? Positives: + An appreciation of how difficult it can be to transition from academia to teach in a classroom. + The need of effective mentoring as one begins to teach. There are some less than positive takeaways I had, too. What about you? https://lnkd.in/gHkNsKyK