Public / Private Partnerships the Way Forward on STEM

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i have been an elementary school teacher for 13 years now and before all this talk of STEM , I was restless for a career in math and science. I , at least wanted to empower my girl students with math and science skills , but I was an English lit, major from UCLA. I'm 48 , how can I get involved? The women in my family live into their 90's - 100's . I'm ready for a change!

jennifer Gary of CA 5:26AM May 09, 2012

We can get much more accomplished if we add the Arts to the mix - Science, Technology,Engineering, Arts , and Math - (STEAM)
STEAM has power. The power of those who can visualize and apply their knowledge to be creative and solve problem. Arts should be an essential part of curriculum.

Lawrence DiLucchio of NC 11:59PM February 23, 2012

You may find the biggest obstacle to STEM is the Education Establishment including the NEA. Back in the 1950s, there were articles about "Why Johnny Can't Read". This trail lead back to John Dewey and that system is now called "Whole Language". After Sputnik, "New Math" replaced traditional math when the real problem was not introducing algebra and geometry in elementary school and making it interesting. Good luck with your endeavors.

Jerome Borden of UT 12:51AM January 03, 2012

we have a solution ..... EARLY RESEARCH PARTICIPATION .... see http://www.bestearly.com/ and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ2PMfCYoAU
With our country facing zero employment growth and a jobless rate stuck at 9.1 percent, it is important to highlight all efforts designed to solve our economic problems in both the short and long terms. BEST Early, a nonprofit, founded by Andrews University Professor Desmond Murray has for over a decade been providing science jobs for high school and college students in his laboratories. This initiative is done with the background of a 2005 National Research Council report that says ‘the quality of science laboratory experiences is poor for most U.S. high school students.’
Murray’s approach of early research participation address both the short-term needs of local students looking for meaningful jobs and the long-term goal of building our nation’s scientific and technical workforce and innovation capacity as President Obama has often discussed. The BEST Early programs are ‘incubators of innovators’ that engages local high school students in high-level scientific research and discovery. Areas of research and development includes making sunscreen materials; sensors for toxic substances found in the environment, agricultural pesticides and chemical warfare agents; and new ‘hybrid’ drugs that offer the potential of reducing the number and cost of drugs while increasing their efficacy.
These students’ research has been acknowledged regionally, nationally and even internationally. Over 650 students have participated in early research, establishing research collaborations with scientists in Michigan, Illinois, and France and producing three YouTube videos on early research.
For over 85% of past participants, this was their first hands-on experience conducting independent lab research. Nine out of 10 students felt the experience was positive and important and ¾ indicated greater interest in research.
for more see: see http://www.bestearly.com/
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ2PMfCYoAU

desmond murray of MI 11:41AM November 05, 2011