Universities need to make major changes in order to keep students in STEM degrees. Students are dropping out of these fields at a consistent rate—alarming for institutions! One example: “Traditional classroom lectures, for instance, are uninspiring – particularly for brighter students who have to sit in a lecture hall of 400 students trying to stay engaged and on point with subjects that can be especially challenging.” More »
Tips for Retaining STEM Students
Are Students Already Behind?
Today, high school students are choosing not to take STEM courses if they are not required. Without necessary prerequisites for STEM majors, students are less likely to pursue STEM careers. Not only are students behind in STEM majors, but several other majors that require STEM classes. For example, math classes are required for Business students. Opting out of math offered in high school adds more courses for the student to complete before they can move forward in college. Fewer graduates in STEM careers is a major concern of corporate organizations with STEM positions to fill. More »
STEM: Where are the Women?
“Data from the White House found that women and minorities account for 70 percent of all college students, but only 45 percent of students in STEM majors”- what’s causing the gap? MoneyGeek explores challenges that women often face in STEM careers, and identified possible solutions to help close the gap. Challenges, past and present, include gender bias, lack of mentors, work-life balance issues, and workplace issues, in addition to prevalent false assumptions and stereotypes that can make women think twice about pursuing STEM fields, yet, opportunities abound.
Check-out more on bridging the gaps, addressing challenges, and identifying available career paths on MoneyGeek.
Just Try It On: STEM Career Advice
NASA’s Chief Scientist, Ellen Stofan, is an advocate for attracting more women and minorities to STEM careers. There remains a concerning gap between the number of white men (predominant), and women and minorities in STEM career fields, and there is a call to action to change the public rhetoric surrounding who “can” and “cannot” succeed in STEM career paths. More »
Digital Technology: Changing Business
“Clearly, digital technology is rapidly transforming the way we live, work and conduct business.” – Bain Digital
Though we don’t have flying cars just yet, we are getting closer and closer to the technological advances and futuristic world that we say in Back to the Future. The future of technology, as we have experienced across the past decade, will continue to rapidly impact the way in which business is conducted. More »
Learn about the Human Body
Learn About the Human Body is a resource that was suggested by a teacher that used it to get her kids engaged about the human body. There are links to lesson plans that can help teach students everything from the different parts of our body to detailed maps of the different organs. Other resources on that page include some games for students of all ages to get them involved in learning about their body.
Gender Pay Gaps Persist
Computer programmer, a STEM career, tops the chart with the highest pay gap between men and women at 28.1% according to a recent Glassdoor study. The average, unadjusted gap shows that women make 76 percent of what men earn. More »
Exploring Science and Technology: Women and Minorities
Dr. Jo Handelsman of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy says, “Women and minorities have been left out of science to a large degree. Still, engineering is very male dominated and many of the physical sciences are.”
Bringing energy, excitement, and attention to STEM opportunities for women and minorities has been on the agenda of the current presidential administration. More »