On Global Public Square last month, Fareed Zakaria made the case that the U.S. economy is struggling in part due to poor investment in science. He based this conclusion on two claims: First, that federal research and development (R&D) investment has declined over the past several years and, second, that American students have fallen behind in science education.
The Science of the Summer Olympics: Engineering in Sports
July 23rd, 2012 by Brad Graham
“Science of the Summer Olympics,” the fourth and latest installment in the “Science of Sports” franchise, explores the science, engineering and technology that are helping athletes maximize their performance at the 2012 London Games. How does swimmer Missy Franklin use the principles of fluid dynamics to move more quickly through water? What are the unique biomechanics that have helped make sprinter Usain Bolt the world’s fastest human? What does weightlifter Sarah Robles have in common with a high-tech robot? How do engineers build faster pools, stronger safety helmets, and specialized wheelchairs for disabled athletes? Explore these and many other engineering and technology concepts in this free 10-part educational video series.
London Olympics Kicks Off Science Events in U.K.
July 18th, 2012 by Brad Graham
With the Olympics being held in London this year, a fair amount of science interest groups are taking advantage of the influx of people traveling from around the world. As one might have guessed, many of the exhibits and installations being displayed around the city are geared towards sports. However, science and athletics go hand and hand in many respects and an opportunity to spark or perpetuate an interest in STEM fields is a move in the right direction.
Not Enough Women in Tech? Not for Long
July 17th, 2012 by Brad Graham
Let’s change the conversation! After all, there is so much talk about the lack of women in STEM fields and limited resources/ opportunities for them. Even though it is the reality, there are major gains that women are making everyday to be a part of STEM. Keeping the focus on “the negative” is just perpetuating the problem. Check out this positive post by Kaya Casper!
Why Math Teachers Feel Poorly Prepared
July 15th, 2012 by Brad Graham
In the new book, “Inequality for All: The Challenges of Unequal Opportunity in American Schools,” William Schmidt and Curtis C. McKnight take a closer look at the American education system in the area of mathematics. Regardless of socioeconomic background 0r race, inequalities pose a risk to every child. They stem from differences in state education standards, in school funding, in curricula that districts choose to adopt and in the content that individual classroom teachers choose to teach. This article focuses on how math teachers are trained and how that, in turn, affects student achievement.
New Study: Mathematics Makes Girls More Anxious Than Boys
July 10th, 2012 by Brad Graham
In a recent English study, researchers have found that girls suffer more anxiety around math over boys. However, the research also indicates that despite the anxiety, girls performance on math does not differ from that of boys. The research is unclear as to why anxiety is higher in girls, but there is speculation that reasons might be that “math [is a] “male” domain, that girls may be more willing to admit feelings of anxiety or may be more critical of themselves than boys; that boys have greater self confidence; and that past experience with mathematics is responsible, the researchers write.” Here is another reason why girls may not be as motivated to pursue careers in STEM.
Colleges Now Offering Entrepreneurial Courses to Encourage Student Ambitions
July 10th, 2012 by Brad Graham
Some colleges are now offering entrepreneurial courses to students in order to spur economic growth and help students combine classroom teachings with post-academic experience. This is a safe model for students to receive guidance about their business and at the same time, earn credits towards a degree. “Should their business ideas fail, they still have their degree and an expanded network on which to build their future careers.” So often these classes are designed for Business students, but how can STEM fields be included in this model by bridging the gap between academics and building a business?
Boosting STEM Education at Community Colleges
July 9th, 2012 by Brad Graham
A 2011 report about STEM workforce needs from the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University indicates that by 2018, 92 percent of STEM workers will need post-secondary education. Of that total, around 65 percent will need a Bachelor’s degree or higher, while 35 percent will be comprised of those with sub-baccalaureate training. The breakdown in qualifications making up that 35 percent: 1 million Associate’s degrees; 745,000 professional certificates; and 760,000 industry-based certifications. According to the report, “There is increasing demand for STEM talent at the sub-baccalaureate level and our education system has, thus far, not adequately produced those workers. Going forward, our Career and Technical Education system will need a stronger STEM curriculum at the high-school and sub-baccalaureate level that is more tightly linked with competencies necessary for STEM jobs.”
