S.T.E.M. – Invent the Change
STEM is an initiative focused on teaching younger generations about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
This initiative has been declining due in part to the exposure that everyone has to technology at an early age and thus becoming immune to the innovation they are being exposed to. Part of the problem is the gap between how technical information is explained in everyday conversations. When Engineers are explaining technology, they often use technical Jargon which is confusing and not interesting to the non-engineering community. This does not generate the excitement for technology that it should.
We have an opportunity to show the next generation that STEM is not boring but can lead to a world of excitement. You can make it fun and challenging to young minds by showcasing it as a magic trick or science experiment. There are multiple ways to engage people that might not be interested in STEM at first.
Relate what they are learning to real life, so they can see the practical application of it.
Encourage people to think outside of the box and come up with some creative ideas, even if they seem silly or out of place. This gets people thinking and trying to figure out ways to apply their ideas to the real world.
Be intentional about making STEM part of your everyday conversations. Don’t think it’s someone else's responsibility to help others grow.
Behind the movie that you enjoy watching, or your favorite food, there is a group of people that used STEM to create the product. Almost any ‘why’ question can be turned into a learning experience through STEM, for example the famous “Are we there yet?”. Turn that into a math question and explain the details of when you left, how fast you are going, and how many miles away the destination is. This is great for young minds to start thinking about math and STEM in general.
STEM is important for the future because it comes down to how we can change the world.
Do things in your life to invent the change you want to see in the world. We need to ensure that the next generation can go down the STEM path if they choose. Its everyone's responsibility to encourage those to develop these skills because in their minds could be something that changes the world.
