Vision & Philosophy

Copy of Copy of Untitled-10.png — Our Vision

The vision at STEM Academy is to develop and continually maintain the highest and most agile STEM and STEAM programs in USA and the world that will equip our new generation of learners with skills to outbursts the dynamic needs of future labor market.

STEM 4C’s is our learning strategy

STEM 4Cs are communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. STEM Academy believes that the four of these items are essential inside the 21st Century STEM & STEAM Activities and Curriculum when we teach Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math subjects. These could be the 4Cs for any century classroom as all of these skills are timeless and highly valued not only inside the classroom but in all professions.

We believe in the 7 Skills for Survival

Wagner refers to “Seven Survival Skills for the 21st Century” as a new curriculum necessary to prepare all students to work and be citizens in the 21st century:

Fosters ingenuity and creativity:

Ingenuity and creativity can pair with STEM and lead to new ideas and innovations. Without ingenuity and creativity, the recent developments in artificial intelligence or digital learning would not be possible. These technologies were created by people who learned that if the human mind can conceive it, the human mind can achieve it. No doubt they had a great K-12 STEM education teacher.

Encourages experimentation:

Without a little risk-taking, and experimentation, many of the technological advancements that have occurred in the last couple of decades would not be possible. Many of these innovations were created by people who were told that their ideas wouldn’t work and their response was, “Let’s try it and see.” This type of attitude can be encouraged with STEM learning during the K-12 years. How can you accomplish this? By allowing students to experiment and take risks during learning activities.

Encourages knowledge application:

In STEM education, students are taught skills that they can use in the real world. This motivates students to learn, as they know that the skills that they acquire can be utilized immediately, and in ways that positively impact them and their loved ones. The ability to apply their knowledge to new and novel tasks will bode well for them when they enter the workforce.

Encourages teamwork:

STEM education can be taught to students of all ability levels. Students of varying levels of ability can work together in teams to find solutions to problems, record data, write reports, give presentations, etc. The end result is students who understand how to collaborate with others and thrive in a team-oriented environment.

Encourages tech use:

STEM learning teaches kids about the power of technology and innovation. So, when students encounter new technologies, they will be prepared to embrace them, instead of being hesitant or fearful. This will give them the upper hand in the global landscape, as the world is becoming increasingly tech-centered.

Encourages adaption:

To succeed in life, students have to be able to apply what they have learned to a variety of scenarios. STEM education teaches them to adapt the concepts that they learn to various iterations of a problem or issue.

Teaches problem-solving:

STEM education teaches students how to solve problems by using their critical thinking skills. By engaging in STEM learn experiences, students learn how to examine problems and then create a plan to solve them.

The Benefits of STEM Learning

While things seem a bit muddled on the STEM teacher preparation front, we do know some things about STEM curriculum. We know, for example, that a good STEM lesson accomplishes these things:

Helps students apply math and science through authentic, hands-on learning.
Includes the use of (or creation of) technology.
Involves students in using an engineering design process.
Engages students in working in collaborative teams.
Appeals equally to girls and boys.
Reinforces relevant math and science standards.
Addresses a real-world problem

These skills are remarkably different from what is assessed in standardized test’s across the country. A transformation of enormous proportions will need to take place in order for these skills to become prevalent in our schools.

Americans blindly follow results on state assessment. Instructors employ different strategies to enhance student learning, focusing on endless data review to make educational decisions. “This raises the question; Does the focus on data now present in public schools promote 21st century teaching and learning”.

“In addition, parents and policy makers alike believe that high-test scores are the best, most reliable measure of a good school system. Accordingly test scores are still the most

significant determinant of a community’s real estate value”. Sadly, the standards that are regularly assessed are in direct contrast with the skills needed for life in the 21st century. The longer policy makers, parents, and educators continue to misunderstand the implications of not teaching and testing the new survival skills, the more we lose our competitive advantage in the global economy.