STEM Everyday #246 | The State of STEM Education | feat. Ann Woo
Apr 30, 2023
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Ann Woo, STEM educator and survey participant, discusses the positive impacts of STEM programs in US public schools. They highlight the benefits of Problem-Based Learning during the pandemic. The podcast explores the importance of engaging students, supporting educators, and the excitement of hands-on STEM activities. It emphasizes the significance of STEM education and the need for more teachers in the field. The speakers also discuss building a legacy in STEM education and enhancing collaboration between companies and classrooms.
Many STEM educators are experiencing burnout, highlighting the need for support and resources to improve STEM education.
Project-based learning and recognition play vital roles in stimulating energy and interest in STEM education, inspiring creativity and innovation.
Deep dives
Survey Reveals Burnout Among STEM Educators
A survey conducted by Samsung, as part of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest, revealed that many STEM educators are experiencing burnout. The survey aimed to understand how teachers were feeling after the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges they faced. The data showed that teachers felt burnt out and less supported, leading to a need for action to improve STEM education. Despite this, the survey also highlighted that students are still enthusiastic about STEM, which serves as a reminder of the importance of STEM education. The survey emphasized the need to recognize and support teachers and to provide them with tools and resources to inspire and energize them.
The Power of Projects and Recognition in STEM Education
The survey results indicated that project-based learning and recognition play vital roles in stimulating energy and interest in STEM education. Project-based learning allows students to solve real-world problems, inspiring creativity and innovation. It provides students with a tangible connection to the subject matter and helps them understand the practical applications of STEM concepts. Additionally, recognition of students' efforts through competitions like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow motivates both students and teachers. Celebrating their achievements and sharing their projects with the community can boost students' enthusiasm and inspire more innovative ideas.
STEM Education as an Equalizer and Catalyst for Change
The survey data showed that STEM education has the potential to be an equalizer, addressing the challenges faced by students in other subjects and helping them succeed. It offers hands-on, problem-based, and current topic-based learning opportunities, which resonate well with students who may struggle with traditional subjects. STEM education not only prepares students for STEM careers but also provides greater opportunities for financial aid, higher education, and staying at the forefront of innovation. By connecting STEM education with real-world problems and fostering innovation, students can make a tangible impact in their communities and drive positive change.
The State of STEM Education survey was released by Samsung Solve for Tomorrow on March 23, 2023. The positive impacts that U.S. public schools and their communities enjoy from STEM programs were underscored in a new survey conducted among some of the nation’s leading middle and high school STEM educators. Nearly 60% of teachers indicate that although teaching STEM is challenging, it offers educators unique rewards by engaging their student’s curiosity and enhancing their motivation. Teachers also responded that implementing the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) techniques utilized in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM projects helped counteract the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on education at their schools.
Each year Samsung hosts a national competition for public schools grades 6–12 in which students are asked to consider how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can be used to create change in their communities. 2022 marked the 13th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest, and with the help of their teachers, students competed to win up to $100,000 in prizes for their school, plus the opportunity to work with Samsung employees to develop their prototypes.
To learn more about the annual contest, and for official contest rules, please visit samsung.com/solvefortomorrow. Registration generally begins each September. “We have seen the incredible projects that have emerged from the minds of students through this contest, and we cannot wait to see the ideas that come to life this year that will undoubtedly ignite lasting impact on communities while reducing our collective impact on the planet,” said Ann Woo, Senior Director of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics America.