STEM Initiatives
Monday, March 17, 2008 - 9:02 AM

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In the February 22 edition of Science Magazine there was an article that indicated that several companies were pursuing projects that they hope will improve math and science education in U.S. schools. I have been aware of some of these initiatives for some time and I note that this is an important set of initiatives that offer hope of improving the U.S. performance in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math ((STEM) in Washington, DC jargon).

The article mentioned several initiatives. I will only mention one and will add information from other sources. Boeing spends ~$21M per year on education at all levels. It supports dozens of programs that have attracted national attention, including the Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform project in Washington state and has recently ramped up a preschool learning initiative. They support district wide math reform in Chicago and Seattle and they support a national program to train principals in urban schools systems. Boeing policy is to stay involved after the money is handed out.

Lockheed Martin also has a program. It's Engineers in the Classroom program supports the Project Lead The Way pre-engineering curriculum at high school and technology curriculum at middle school./ Project Lead The Way is a non-profit organization that provides the de facto National standard for pre-engineering curriculum.

LM also supports direct student engagement through classroom visits as guest lecturers fro specific programs. LM engineers coach extracurricular activities such as the IEEE-USA Future Cities, the FIRST Robotics and the Team America Rocketry Challenge. LM also offers Lockheed Martin Engineers in the Classroom Scholarship for graduating seniors of Project Lead The Way.

The Region 6 Orange County Section of IEEE under the leadership of R Sampath, Chair, is working with the state of California on a program called Engineers to Educators (E2E). The purpose is to provide better STEM education in California high schools and utilize available engineers e.g. retired. The ultimate goal is to provide fully credentialed engineers to teach STEM subjects. This program has been favorably received by the state although, as yet, the budget required to make it a reality has not come to pass.  
 

 
Comments:

I'd like to call your attention to Metro High School in Columbus, Ohio. It is a small, public STEM high school created by the unprecedented partnership of Battelle, The Ohio State University and the Educational Council. It is in its 2nd year, with 200 students. It will close the knowledge gap and address the looming shortage of STEM professionals. More about the school is at www.themetroschool.com
permalink | posted by  Stephanie : March 21, 2008 7:49 AM  

I hope IEEE efforts in math and science education recognize the importance of finding tools that help students, parents, and teachers determine if a particular student has a gift for these subjects. We do not want "standardized" students, and the effort to standardize them is a considerable waste and stressor. Imagine denying Mozart music lessons and requiring him to do 4 hours of math and science classes and homework a day. What a loss this would have been to our culture. Rather, through identification, development, and recognition of gifts, we can greatly help those whose intellectual "sweet spot" includes math and/or science.
permalink | posted by  Tim Trewyn : March 21, 2008 2:04 PM  

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