What is STEM SOS?

• What is STEM education?

STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.

• Why is STEM education important?

According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while other occupations are growing at 9.8%. STEM degree holders have a higher income even in non-STEM careers. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics workers play a key role in the sustained growth and stability of the U.S. economy, and are a critical component to helping the U.S. win the future. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators. Innovation leads to new products and processes that sustain our economy. This innovation and science literacy depends on a solid knowledge base in the STEM areas. It is clear that most jobs of the future will require a basic understanding of math and science. Despite these compelling facts, mathematics and science scores on average among U.S. students are lagging behind other developing countries.

• How can STEM education shape the future?

We've heard for a long time that there won't be enough people with the STEM skills necessary to fill the engineering and tech jobs that are believed to be coming in the next decade or so. Studies have shown that the technology industry will grow at an incredible rate and we'll need workers who can code, designers who can problem solve, and innovators who can understand what we need before we even need it. The solution to this potential gap between supply and demand is a greater emphasis on STEM education, starting in elementary school and reaching all the way through the graduate level. The STEM education solution drives conversations about curriculum, state standards, national testing, and funding at every level, whether it's the local PTA planning a school-wide maker faire orPresident Obama addressing the nation at a science fair.

US Department of Education

What is STEM Education?

STEM Education Coalition

STEMSOS Model:

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a constructivist instructional approach where students are engaged in meaningful inquiry of personal interest to them and where collaboration and personalized learning are emphasized. Research confirms that PBL is an effective and enjoyable way to learn and develop deeper learning competencies required for success in college, career and civic life. -Buck Institute of Education

STEMSOS is a rigorous, interdisciplinary, standards-focused, and engaging STEM teaching approach that is teacher-facilitated, student-centered and directed through sets of project- and inquiry-based (P&IBL) projects. STEMSOS PBL approach is to maintain the focus on standards-based teaching while enriching and extending the learning of students through PBL projects. The goal is to promote not only collaborative skills and student ownership of learning but also to promote student success in state and national standards.

STEMSOS PBL Showcase is designed to promote and share exemplary student work in PBL projects that can serve as valuable learning and teaching tools for students, parents, teachers, and other educators.