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On its surface, "STEM" is the acronym of science , technology, engineering, and mathematics. However, when you pull that first layer away, you reveal the most elaborate puzzle in the education world. Most educators know what STEM stands for, but how many really know what it means?
A common definition is
STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons as students apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise enabling the development of STEM literacy and with it the ability to compete in the new economy. (Tspuros, 2009)
This definition raises many issues, though. My high school Advanced Placement composition teacher would be appalled by defining a term by using the same term in the definition! How do you define competing? Technology? Global enterprise? This definition is so vague that it leaves much up for interpretation.
When STEM was first introduced as "the next big thing," the thoughts behind it basically centered around two issues. First, there was (and still is) a growing concern that the United States was not preparing a sufficient number of students, teachers, and practitioners in the STEM fields. Second, our industries need more workers in these fields due to an aging workforce and an increasingly innovative world market. STEM is...