So, You're Ready to RUN with STEM!

Dr. Max McKeown is an award-winning expert in innovation, strategy, and leadership. He states that “Adaptability is the powerful difference between adapting to cope and adapting to win” (McKeown, 2023). McKeown’s book, Adaptability: The Art of Winning in an Age of Uncertainty, goes into detail about howOverview anyone may improve their ability to strategically win by selecting and implementing the best course of action within their available resources.

McKeown’s persuasive words were used at every level of the process as I began looking into what STEM education entailed. Rather than adapting to cope, Max McKeown uses a three-step “Model of Adaptability” to win.

1. “Recognition of needed adaptation,

2. Understanding

3. Necessary adaptation” (McKeown, 2012).

Recongnition

Recognition of a growth mindset is one of the keys to success in STEM education. It draws students in by encouraging them to view challenges as opportunities to collaborate for growth, rather than obstacles. Failure is integrated as a natural part of the learning process, pushing students to persist in the face of setbacks. By cultivating a growth mindset, students develop resilience and perseverance, essential traits for success in STEM fields.

Understanding

Understanding what collaboration and teamwork entails. STEM fields often require collaboration and teamwork to solve complex problems. Therefore, students work together on projects and assignments, fostering a collaborative environment. Emphasis on effective communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills develop within teams over time. By working collaboratively, we learn to leverage each other’s strengths and perspectives to achieve common goals.

Necessary Adaptation

Necessary adapatation is required for STEM because these fields evolve rapidly, requiring continuous learning and development to keep pace with new developments. Providing access to resources, workshops, and online resources can help students learn about emerging technologies firsthand, positioning them for success in this dynamic landscape. Diversity and inclusion are equally essential for fostering innovation and creativity in STEM.

Check out the link below to find out how YOU can RUN with STEM beyond the classrom.

Extracurriculars Extra-Curriculars that Build To Innovate

Works Cited

McKeown, Max. Adaptability: TheOverview Art of Winning In An Age of Uncertainty. Kogan Page Publishers, 2012.