7 Common Myths About STEM Learning
STEM education is not a separate discipline or course taught to students. It is an initiative to integrate subjects like science, technology, engineering, and technology with the existing curriculum in school and college. The reason why STEM learning has assumed so much importance these days is because of the falling standards of U.S students in math, science, and engineering as compared with students coming from other nations. Despite a warm welcome accorded to STEM learning everywhere, there are also many people who do not understand its concept in entirety. This is because of 7 common myths doing rounds about STEM education.
1.It is overwhelming for young kids
The inclusion of concepts of science, technology, engineering, and math is disliked by many people. They say that it is too much to ask young kids to imbibe lessons from these subjects. However, this is not true as STEM learning is provided with the help of interesting activities drawn from real-life situations. Students find these activities exciting and they learn easily and naturally. In fact, they are the least intimidated and feel happy when given STEM education.
2. There is no time to include STEM learning
There is no doubt that schools and teachers are under constant pressure to complete the syllabus within a short time period of a semester. However, STEM learning can be easily integrated with the existing curriculum without taking away any time from the teaching of other humanities subjects. It becomes easier for a young child to write a how-to book on coding after he has learned coding in a playful manner.
3. STEM education can be very expensive
School and college education is already very expensive. Some experts say that adding equipment and arranging activities for children for STEM learning will add an enormous financial burden to education. However, this is really a myth as many scientific concepts can be taught to students using very inexpensive materials like paper cups, strings, and other art supplies. Also, the expenditure incurred on STEM learning should really be considered as an investment as it prepares students for jobs in diverse industries.
4. Jobs in STEM fields are not creative
Nothing can be more misleading than this thinking of opponents of STEM learning. There are misconceptions that jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math fields are boring and do not encourage creative thinking. If you think about it, there are few fields more creative than the 4 subjects included in STEM learning. It is the brains behind science and tech companies that are making lives easier and more comfortable for all of us.
5. Jobs in STEM fields are lonely in nature
Those against the inclusion of STEM learning in the curriculum of education in schools and colleges say that they imagine jobs in these fields boring and lonely. They cite examples of an individual doing coding alone on his computer and someone doing science experiments inside a lab. This is a myth as there are many career options in STEM learning that ask people to work in teams and collaborate with others.
6. Humanities get ignored because of emphasis on STEM fields
There is no doubt that humanities are as important as science subjects but to say that emphasis on STEM learning is like the abandonment of arts is an exaggeration. In fact, STEM education fosters scientific temper in students and they are better able to appreciate humanities.
7. Girls are not programmed for STEM learning
In a time when large numbers of scientists in NASA are women, this argument is nothing more than a myth. There are more female doctors than male doctors and more women teachers and professors in the country than male teachers. To say that women are not programmed to grasp STEM learning is a lie.
