Shannon Johnson’s Post

Imagine a world where every student has access to high-quality STEM education, regardless of their background. That world is closer than you think. Orion's Quest is tearing down barriers by offering their STEM programs at absolutely NO COST to schools. This is a game-changer for educational equality. But there's more to it than just free resources: Researchers involved come from all walks of life. They've faced poverty, bullying, and even personal apathy. These are not just educators; they're beacons of inspiration. When students learn about the challenges these researchers have overcome, they don't just see a lesson; they see themselves. They see hope. They realize that their current circumstances don't define their future potential. Here are some key insights: ● Accessible STEM education is not a luxury but a necessity for future generations. ● The power of personal stories in education can ignite a student's drive and ambition. ● Overcoming adversity is a universal theme that resonates with students, fostering resilience and determination. Education is more than textbooks and tests; it's about lifting each other up and seeing the possibilities beyond our immediate horizon. Let's champion programs like Orion's Quest that push us closer to that reality. #STEMEducation #EducationalEquity #InspiringResearchers #FutureLeaders #OrionsQuest

Latest from FE News: Cultivating STEM Seeds: How Businesses Can Take Root in Schools: Businesses must engage with further education facilities to cultivate STEM interest organically, addressing the skills gaps and bridging education-industry divides. Grassroots initiatives, such as after-school… Cultivating STEM Seeds: How Businesses Can Take Root in Schools was published on FE News by FE News Editor #ExclusivetoFENews Read more here:

What I'm reading today: DSU Professor Sarah Crossingham Leads Innovative STEM Peace Camp with $10,000 Grant Peace innovation in action! "The STEM World Peace Game Camp places students in dynamic situations where they tackle more than 50 interconnected global issues, from economic crises to environmental disasters. Participants work in teams to develop solutions while facilitators encourage resilience and innovation by allowing initial failures. Reflective thinking is emphasized, with students maintaining logs and engaging in self-assessments to enhance communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. The long-term goal is to promote skills in a new generation that are transferable to the real world." The integration of STEM education with peace-building skills exemplifies how technical education can be leveraged to foster broader social goals, aligning with the ideals of peace innovation by encouraging the next generation to think critically and act compassionately in complex situations. Or to paraphrase Kamala Harris, we didn't just all out of a coconut tree. We exist within a context. Training the next generation to look at situations and challenges in a holistic manner gets us closer to solutions that actually work. #coconuttree #stem #peaceinnovation #peaceengineering #gamedesignthinking cc Ramiro Jordan Joseph Hughes Mira Olson James Tangorra Keil Eggers, PhD Brian Abrams Craig Jonas, Ph.D. Craig Zelizer Chris Bennett https://lnkd.in/gcnUGEy8

ICYMI: Cultivating STEM Seeds: How Businesses Can Take Root in Schools: Businesses must engage with further education facilities to cultivate STEM interest organically, addressing the skills gaps and bridging education-industry divides. Grassroots initiatives, such as after-school… Cultivating STEM Seeds: How Businesses Can Take Root in Schools was published on FE News by FE News Editor Read more here:

ICYMI: Cultivating STEM Seeds: How Businesses Can Take Root in Schools: Businesses must engage with further education facilities to cultivate STEM interest organically, addressing the skills gaps and bridging education-industry divides. Grassroots initiatives, such as after-school… Cultivating STEM Seeds: How Businesses Can Take Root in Schools was published on FE News by FE News Editor Read more here:

Latest from FE News: Cultivating STEM Seeds: How Businesses Can Take Root in Schools: Businesses must engage with further education facilities to cultivate STEM interest organically, addressing the skills gaps and bridging education-industry divides. Grassroots initiatives, such as after-school… Cultivating STEM Seeds: How Businesses Can Take Root in Schools was published on FE News by FE News Editor Read more here:

In today's rapidly evolving world, STEM education plays a crucial role in preparing our children for the jobs and challenges of the future. By fostering skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from an early age, we equip them with the tools to innovate, problem-solve, and adapt in a technology-driven society. STEM education not only cultivates critical thinking and creativity but also nurtures a deep understanding of how the world works. By investing in STEM education for our kids, we are empowering the next generation to drive innovation, shape industries, and address global challenges, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for all. visit https://lnkd.in/gvbQmbB for more information on our innovative courses. #STEMeducation #FutureLeaders #Innovation

Delve into the crucial intersection of STEM education and strategic intelligence at the college level, highlighting innovation and barrier-breaking at SLU. As a SLU alumni in the strategic intelligence program, this article resonates deeply. Explore the significance of STEM in strategic intelligence in the article below. #STEMEducation #SLUAlumni #Innovation #BreakingBarriers #StrategicIntelligenceProgram #CollegeSTEMImportance #STEMinStrategicIntelligence

While I am proud of my son, Oliver's, Year 6 Science achievements this year, yesterday's report from Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) shows the stark reality that science proficiency isn't uniform across our nation. While ACT leads the nation with 69% of ACT students meeting the national standard (congrats Andrew Barr!), the average national attainment is only 57%, with particularly concerning numbers from NT and other remote areas of just 42%. Additionally, despite years of increased focus and debate, progress on science learning outcomes has been disappointingly slow. The needle hasn't significantly moved over the last five years. Australia's future depends on STEM literacy. If these levels aren't lifted, how will we meet our nation's jobs and knowledge economy aspirations, let alone our children's dreams? We are also letting our Indigenous students down. In 2023, only 1 in 3 Indigenous Year 6 students and 1 in 4 Indigenous Year 10 students reached the proficient standard. This disparity is both a challenge and an opportunity. We must address it head-on, and we need the leadership of Jason Clare MP and Linda Burney along with their state colleagues to rapidly turn this around. We know that Indigenous people with university degrees have high employment and income outcomes, sometimes higher than their non-Indigenous counterparts, but they need to get to and complete university first. Many will need support to realise this, and universities have a key role here. In an era of rapid technological advancements and groundbreaking innovations, STEM skills are more critical than ever. Every student deserves a solid foundation in these fields regardless of their background or family situation. It's not just about career prospects; it's about nurturing their passions and enabling their future contributions.   We need better teacher support, greater awareness and valuing of STEM careers, targeted support measures for students at risk of poorer outcomes, and strong role models to strengthen students' interest in STEM careers.   All levels of government, industry, and families, as well as fantastic peak bodies like Science & Technology Australia, have a role to play. Together, we can build a brighter STEM future for our children. I'm committed to ensuring that every child, not just my children, can excel in STEM and use that knowledge to shape their future. https://lnkd.in/gSBpeS4x Note: Photo has been shared with Oliver's permission.

Students from groups historically excluded from STEM face heightened challenges to thriving and advancing in STEM. Prompting students to reflect on these challenges in light of their purpose can yield benefits by helping students see how their STEM work connects to fundamental motives. In the recently released report "Purpose reflection benefits minoritized students’ motivation and well-being in STEM", funded by 3M, empirical evidence for a route to improving the quantity and quality of the STEM workforce by prompting STEM students to consider their challenges in light of their own purpose—that is, their “why” for pursuing their degrees. Read the report https://hubs.ly/Q02fGPkS0