First, there was STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, to emphasize the need for more analytical and technical thinking in the students our educational system produces.
Then, I assume because some folks were feeling left out, that was expanded to STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.
So why not METALS: Math, Engineering, Technology, Arts, Language, and Science? Because, after all, if you can't communicate your wonderful discovery, invention, or innovation, it's not really going to change anything.
Or, we could realize that no discipline is inherently and objectively more important than any other, invest in and teach all the things society needs, let people self-select into them (with guidance, starting at an early age) as their skills and interests suggest is best, and enjoy the fruits of the diverse intellectual environment that has served humanity well for so long.
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LEGO Americana Roadshow: Building Across America I just checked out this traveling exhibition from LEGO and was quite impressed. The scale ... -
Merry Christmas, everyone!
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When we let politics trump science, people are needlessly put in harm's way. http://arstechnica.com/science/2017/01/self-censoring-fears...
NB: METALS can also be rearranged as LAMEST.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for talking about STEM is to focus attention on a specific area of concern, in the same way that saying "black lives matter" focuses attention on a specific area of concern. The response "all lives matter" is technically correct, but unhelpful, as it eliminates the focus on that critical area.
ReplyDeleteJim Douglas The problem is that, unlike BLM, the focus on STEM actually results in diverting time and money AWAY from other fields (i.e., funding and hiring priorities shift with little net gain overall). I'm not saying that's inherently wrong, just that it makes the comparison with the BLM conversation rather unhelpful.
ReplyDeleteReally... they are trying to wedge Arts into STEM?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as both an engineer and an artist... that is the stupidest thing I have heard today. Of course, my day is still very young.
I don't see an issue with classifying fields into different categories based on their similarities. Grouping and organization is of course a major component to how we think and process information.
ReplyDeleteTrying to create categories to avoid exclusion, however, is an utterly stupid and useless concept. Arts does not belong in the same grouping as the STEM fields. That isn't to say that Arts are not important; I myself focus highly on artistic endeavors in my personal work, as well as being very heavy on scientific and analytical thinking both personally and professionally. It's just that the fields don't fit together based on the classification of what types of thinking are used most heavily.
That's also not to say that there are absolutely no ways that artistic and scientific fields could be grouped together. There are certainly some similarities between them on some level. But the point of the STEM grouping was to create the group based on the the fields that require a heavy focus on analytical thinking.
I've rambled around it a bit, but basically what I'm getting at is that you should decide what classifications to use for your groups first, then divide your options into them and look for results. Deciding what results you'd like to get first (i.e. some form of social equality) and then figuring out how to classify your groups to obtain them is not only deceptive, it's completely dumb.
The problem I have with STEAM is the lack of understanding of why STEM investments are important. The nation as a whole is falling behind drastically in each of the STEM fields. Now obviously I'm biased towards these fields because not only are they my livelihood but also my passion. We need to increase awareness of the importance of these fields and encourage the growing generation to pursue these careers. Given the current problems the world faces right now, we need people who can think analytically of solution to extremely complex problems.
ReplyDeleteArt and Language for that matter, while also extremely important to society as a whole, are not going to solve global warming, over use of antibiotics, or extinction of pollinators. All of these problems will greatly affect live on the planet in a negative way and we owe it to the next generation to help them come up with solutions.
Truthfully, we have been underfunding education for far too long. STEM does seem to be an engine for economic growth and our place in the world seems to be tightly linked to our ability to lead scientifically. That said, exposure arts give scientists a larger vocabulary and set of tools to explore with.
ReplyDeleteI attended the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Our alumni group, almost 10k strong, opposes cuts to arts, languages, and other non-STEM classes as a well rounded education heavy in math and science benefits all of students and society an employers.
ReplyDeleteWhy not let children learn the basics: Reading, writing, math, music, and art. From that, the whole world of knowledge (and thinking) is open.
ReplyDeleteThis crap is made up by fools who think they have the genius to improve on what has always worked in education.
I think it's their cocaine abuse, which leads to grandiose expectations of one's own genius.
It could also be anagrammed to "MALEST"
ReplyDeleteIt takes students of Art and Language to deal with politicians. Or, better yet, be like RushHolt.
ReplyDeleteThis is LGBTQA2SXYZ all over again.
ReplyDelete