STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines —
SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS
What’s exciting about STEM is that it separates the traditional science and math education and is blended into a learning environment that shows students how the scientific method can be applied to everyday life. It teaches students computational thinking and focuses on the real world applications of problem solving. As mentioned before, STEM education begins while students are very young.
STEM education focuses on the introductory level STEM courses, as well as awareness of the STEM fields and occupations. This initial step provides standards-based structured inquiry-based and real world problem-based learning, connecting all four of the STEM subjects. The goal is to pique students’ interest into them wanting to pursue the courses, not because they have to. There is also an emphasis placed on bridging in-school and out-of-school STEM learning opportunities.
At this stage, the courses become more rigorous and challenging. Student awareness of STEM fields and occupations is still pursued, as well as the academic requirements of such fields. Student exploration of STEM related careers begins at this level, particularly for underrepresented populations.
The program of study focuses on the application of the subjects in a challenging and rigorous manner. Courses and pathways are now available in STEM fields and occupations, as well as preparation for post-secondary education and employment. More emphasis is placed on bridging in-school and out-of-school STEM opportunities.
* There are thirteen agencies that are partners in the Committee on Stem Education (CoSTEM), including mission science agencies and the U.S. Department of Education.
* The Department of Education now offers a number of STEM-based programs, including research programs with a STEM emphasis, STEM grant selection programs and general programs that support STEM education.
*Asian students have historically displayed the highest level of interest in the STEM fields. Other ethnicities with high STEM interest include American Indian students.
#1 North Carolina A&T State University Greensboro, NC
The top producer of black STEM graduates in engineering…in the top 25 producers of African-Americans with degrees in the physical sciences, computer science and math…in the top 50 universities in the nation for graduating African-Americans with bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences.
#2 Florida A&M University Tallahassee, FL
Consistently among the top 50 colleges in the country for graduating African-Americans in math, engineering, computer science, physical sciences and biological sciences…the 4th top HBCU for graduating African-Americans with bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences.
#3 Alabama A&M University Huntsville, AL
One of the top 10 HBCUs for graduating black engineers and mathematicians…in the top 50 colleges in the US for graduating African-Americans with bachelor’s degrees in computer science, engineering, math and sciences.
#4 Howard University Washington, DC
Historically known for graduating black scientists… in the top 10 in the areas of engineering, biological sciences and physical sciences…in the top 50 producers of African-Americans in every area except computer science.
#5 Jackson State University Jackson, MS
One of the top five colleges in the US for producing African-Americans with degrees in physical sciences and biological sciences… one of the top 25 universities in the country for graduating African-Americans mathematicians and engineers.
#6 Alabama State University Montgomery, AL
One of the top two producers of black mathematicians… a top 25 producer of African-Americans with bachelor’s degrees in computer science, physical sciences and math.
#7 Norfolk State University Norfolk, VA
One of the top HBCUs for graduating African-Americans with bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields with degrees in math and physical sciences.
#8 Prairie View A&M University Prairie View, TX
Among the top three colleges in the nation for producing black engineers…in the top 50 colleges in the nation for graduating African-Americans with bachelor’s degrees in both biological sciences and physical sciences as well as math.
#9 Morgan State University Baltimore, MD
The top producer of African-American engineers in the state of Maryland and one of the top four colleges in the nation for graduating black engineers…in the top 50 colleges for African-Americans in the country in the areas of biological sciences, computer science and physical sciences.
#10 Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, GA
One of the top 50 colleges in the nation for graduating African-Americans with bachelor’s degrees in physical sciences, biological sciences, and computer sciences and mathematics.
Footnote:
STEM jobs do not all require higher education or even a college degree. Less than half of entry-level STEM jobs require a bachelor’s degree or higher. However, a four-year degree is incredibly helpful with salary — the average advertised starting salary for entry-level STEM jobs with a bachelor’s requirement was 26 percent higher than jobs in the non-STEM fields, according to the STEM connect report. For every job posting for a bachelor’s degree recipient in a non-STEM field, there were 2.5 entry-level job postings for a bachelor’s degree recipient in a STEM field.
(Thanks to LiveScience.com)