It is the winter holiday break and most of you have a minimum of two weeks to think about what to do with your kids. Breaks from school are a great opportunity to provide outside of the classroom learning experiences for your children. So don't just let your children sit around the house, watching TV and playing video games, but engage them in doing and talking about science.
Earlier this week, there was a lunar eclipse. If you didn't get a chance to see it,there are plenty of articles on the web. Have a discussion not only about the eclipse but astronomy as well as some of the cool things that NASA is doing in space. NASA has some great activities on their website to discuss astronomy and space travel. As you prepare your holiday meal, you can discuss the advances that STEM played a part in the advances in food science and technology. Take a look at all your kitchen gadgets as well as talk about the organic versus non organic food that you will use to prepare your meal. If the weather permits in your area, go on a hike and discuss what you see outside or visit your local science museum. If it is just too cold or rainy to go outside, play one of the many fun math and science games on the web. The things is that holidays are time for fun with family, so why not make some of that fun a learning opportunity in math and science.
Showing posts with label youth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label youth. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Why is STEM such a hot topic right now?
In 2005, when SEM Link was founded there wasn't much talk about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM);nor was there such a focus on math and science education. The focus in education was the basics the three R's- reading, riting (writing) and rithmetic (arithmetic) and test scores. But now the tides have turned and everyone is talking about STEM and math and science education. Although I am not sure why, I have noticed several changes in how STEM and STEM education is viewed and the resources that have been poured into by corporations, government agencies and nonprofits.
As the world economy is becoming more global, the United States is realizing that if we want to remain a global superpower some things have to change. Some of the countries that are emerging as leaders in our global economy have strong math and science education and a strong STEM sector. Therefore part of this buzz about math and science is realizing that the innovation of society is dependent of STEM. If we want to have a strong STEM sector, it starts with the quality of the math and science education we provide to our youth.
Secondly, the leadership of the country changed. Yes, President Obama is a strong supporter of math and science education. He has made one of the focuses of his administration and has made several speeches about its importance. But in the past few years, corporations and government agencies are realizing that the current STEM workforce is preparing to retire soon and there isn't anyone in the pipeline to replace them. Therefore, corporations and government agencies have been pouring resources into K-16 education to ensure there is a future pipeline for the STEM workforce. What they also have realized is that the current STEM workforce isn't a reflection of our diverse society. Therefore there are resources targeted towards encouraging historically underrepresented populations to pursue STEM careers.
Finally, there are efforts to make pursuing STEM careers cool for children. I read a press release today about a campaign to promote Rock Stars of Science. I would have never put rock stars and science together. In addition, many celebrities such as Mos Def and Mary J. Blige have been involved in campaign to encourage youth to pursue STEM careers.
I'm very excited that STEM careers are being pushed because I truly believe if you want to look at the strength of a nation and its economy, you can look at the strength of the STEM sector. I just want to be sure that we do all we can to "unveil potential through exposure" and create the pipeline for the future STEM workforce.
As the world economy is becoming more global, the United States is realizing that if we want to remain a global superpower some things have to change. Some of the countries that are emerging as leaders in our global economy have strong math and science education and a strong STEM sector. Therefore part of this buzz about math and science is realizing that the innovation of society is dependent of STEM. If we want to have a strong STEM sector, it starts with the quality of the math and science education we provide to our youth.
Secondly, the leadership of the country changed. Yes, President Obama is a strong supporter of math and science education. He has made one of the focuses of his administration and has made several speeches about its importance. But in the past few years, corporations and government agencies are realizing that the current STEM workforce is preparing to retire soon and there isn't anyone in the pipeline to replace them. Therefore, corporations and government agencies have been pouring resources into K-16 education to ensure there is a future pipeline for the STEM workforce. What they also have realized is that the current STEM workforce isn't a reflection of our diverse society. Therefore there are resources targeted towards encouraging historically underrepresented populations to pursue STEM careers.
Finally, there are efforts to make pursuing STEM careers cool for children. I read a press release today about a campaign to promote Rock Stars of Science. I would have never put rock stars and science together. In addition, many celebrities such as Mos Def and Mary J. Blige have been involved in campaign to encourage youth to pursue STEM careers.
I'm very excited that STEM careers are being pushed because I truly believe if you want to look at the strength of a nation and its economy, you can look at the strength of the STEM sector. I just want to be sure that we do all we can to "unveil potential through exposure" and create the pipeline for the future STEM workforce.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin L. King Jr and Leaving your own legacy
Yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr's birthday and this weekend is the celebration of his life and legacy. Dr. King was truly a great man and left a lasting impact on this world, through his teachings and what he accomplished to make this country a better place for us all. Although, we still have strides to make to improve racial relations and equality for all in this country; it is so much better than it would be if Dr. King, other civil rights leaders of the time and those who joined them in that great cause. Those individuals worked hard to make the change they vision of what this world could be and their vision has come to pass.
One can learn so many things from the life and legacy of Dr. King. This great man, died over 40 years ago and not only are we still celebrating his life and impact on the world, but teaching his principles to the current and future generations. The main lesson I take away from Dr. King is that if you want to be a great person, you can't just live your life, you must leave a legacy. In order to leave a legacy, you have to live your life working for a towards making life better for more than just yourself and those in your network. When I moved to Atlanta and visited the King center I learned that Dr. King and his family were part of the privileged African Americans that had access to education and wealth. Not to say that they didn't have it hard, but they had it better than most African Americans in the south during their time. But he had a desire to make life better for more than just his family, but for his community and the world; and he accomplished that and every day the world is becoming a better place.
The second lesson that I take from Dr. King's life and legacy is when you are passionate about a cause, that passion ignites others to join you in your cause. If you think about it most visions that make an impact in the world are too large for one person to accomplish on his own. But that person has to be a great communicator and have great passion, to ignite others toward his cause and work toward making the vision a reality. Dr. King inspired so many people to make a difference in the world as he saw it needed to be changed, from the leaders he trained to assist him with the direct organization of the movement to the countless people all over the country that joined him in the cause. We wouldn't even be talking about the March on Washington, if only Dr. King was present. We wouldn't even be taking about Dr. King if he didn't have people to believe and buy in to his vision and work towards the cause.
I just want to take some time to thank Dr. King for thinking bigger than himself to make a difference in this world. Thank you Dr. King for the life you lived and the legacy you left for those who have come behind you. His life truly inspired me to think bigger than myself and establish SEM Link 5 years ago. But just like Dr. King, my vision to promote academic achievement and career exploration in math and science for K-12 is too big for me to make a reality all by myself. So I want to thank all the board members past and present, the staff, the volunteers, corporate and community partners for joining me in making the vision of "unveiling potential through exposure" a reality. Let us continue the work that we started so that SEM Link can leave a legacy and make its impact in math and science education. We are on our way to creating the members of the future STEM workforce.
One can learn so many things from the life and legacy of Dr. King. This great man, died over 40 years ago and not only are we still celebrating his life and impact on the world, but teaching his principles to the current and future generations. The main lesson I take away from Dr. King is that if you want to be a great person, you can't just live your life, you must leave a legacy. In order to leave a legacy, you have to live your life working for a towards making life better for more than just yourself and those in your network. When I moved to Atlanta and visited the King center I learned that Dr. King and his family were part of the privileged African Americans that had access to education and wealth. Not to say that they didn't have it hard, but they had it better than most African Americans in the south during their time. But he had a desire to make life better for more than just his family, but for his community and the world; and he accomplished that and every day the world is becoming a better place.
The second lesson that I take from Dr. King's life and legacy is when you are passionate about a cause, that passion ignites others to join you in your cause. If you think about it most visions that make an impact in the world are too large for one person to accomplish on his own. But that person has to be a great communicator and have great passion, to ignite others toward his cause and work toward making the vision a reality. Dr. King inspired so many people to make a difference in the world as he saw it needed to be changed, from the leaders he trained to assist him with the direct organization of the movement to the countless people all over the country that joined him in the cause. We wouldn't even be talking about the March on Washington, if only Dr. King was present. We wouldn't even be taking about Dr. King if he didn't have people to believe and buy in to his vision and work towards the cause.
I just want to take some time to thank Dr. King for thinking bigger than himself to make a difference in this world. Thank you Dr. King for the life you lived and the legacy you left for those who have come behind you. His life truly inspired me to think bigger than myself and establish SEM Link 5 years ago. But just like Dr. King, my vision to promote academic achievement and career exploration in math and science for K-12 is too big for me to make a reality all by myself. So I want to thank all the board members past and present, the staff, the volunteers, corporate and community partners for joining me in making the vision of "unveiling potential through exposure" a reality. Let us continue the work that we started so that SEM Link can leave a legacy and make its impact in math and science education. We are on our way to creating the members of the future STEM workforce.
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About SEM Link
- SEM Link
- Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link, Inc. (SEM Link), a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, was founded in 2004 on the premise that exposure to members of the science, engineering and mathematics (SEM) communities is critical to student development in math and science. Our mission is to promote student achievement and career exploration in math and science while increasing student exposure to the science, engineering and mathematics communities and enhancing resources that are available at local schools and community organizations. Our two core programs, Math and Science Career Academy and Experimental Design Program, provide students with an opportunity to develop their math and science skills by enhancing the classroom learning experience and teaching them skills that are transferable to other areas of life. We recruit students and professionals for our programs that have backgrounds in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.