2. This blog is for my course, EM820, Business Strategies for Social Media. This
is a hot topic now, as many businesses are realizing the potential of the
social media universe.This blog will focus on how K-12 schools can use social
media as a way to engage students (especially girls) in the STEM (science,
technology, engineering, and math) subjects.
There has been quite a push recently to get students involved in the STEM
subjects, as the US tends to lag behind other countries in producing qualified
and knowledgeable scientists. Since the younger generation is much more
involved in social media, having programs that target students via social
media can be a way to encourage budding young scientists.
Introduction
3. There are a number of issues that face schools who want to increase interest in
STEM. A major stumbling block is funding; education funds keep diminishing
while the number of students keeps increasing. High end schools have excellent
programs to prepare students for STEM careers, while urban public schools
typically have little funding for the arts or sciences. An article by Raju and
Clayson (2011) discusses how the National Science Foundation has cut funding to
a program meant to introduce graduate students to using STEM in K-12
schools. This type of cut eliminates support for teachers in K-12, who previously
had access to graduate STEM students to help with teaching. The program was
also meant as a way to improve the skills of STEM graduate students to help
them pass along their love for the subjects.
Another issue facing STEM engagement is training. Teachers who teach science
courses may not be well trained to teach them, especially in elementary schools
where one teacher teaches all of the subjects. Given the increase towards
standardized tests, teachers focus more on the content that is being measured in
those tests rather than in giving students knowledge in all subjects. Since
standardized tests tend to focus on reading and math, science courses tend to be
pushed to the wayside. While there is a focus on math in those tests, it is usually
general math and not math that may be needed for future science courses.
Reference
Raju, P. K., & Clayson, A. (2011). NSF GK-12 Program must be saved: What you
can do to help. Journal of STEM Education: Innovations And Research, 12(3-4), 6-8.
Issues facing STEM engagement
4. A third issue relates to the students themselves. Typically the sciences are seen
as not being interesting. While that has changed over the years thanks to the
media, students may still be unaware of how to become involved in
STEM. Subramaniam et al (2012) present great ideas for engaging students via
science fiction. Sci-Fi movies have become very popular in recent years; movies
such as the Iron Man franchise and Star Trek highlight much of the technology of
the future and have killed at the box office. A large portion of the youth today
plays video games; emphasizing to them that they can create the games they
play or create the technology they see on the movie screen can also help to
stimulate interest in STEM.
A fourth issue relates to personnel. In order to stimulate interest in
STEM, teachers in those subjects need to find creative ways to engage
students. The sciences can typically be dry courses with uninteresting
teachers. But if a teacher is passionate about the subject and about finding ways
to incite that passion in the students then future STEM students can be
created. However, if a teacher only does what is required then those students
will not find interest in the courses.
Reference
Subramaniam, M., Ahn, J., Waugh, A., & Druin, A. (2012). Sci-Fi, Storytelling, and
New-Media Literacy. Knowledge Quest, 41(1), 22-27.
More issues facing STEM engagement
5. One interesting blog comes from Camille Cole, who published a book about
finding ways to engage students in STEM. She suggests a number of good
tools for teachers to use to engage students. For example, Cole suggests
starting a classroom blog as well as a podcast. Yes, this creates additional
work for a teacher but it allows the teacher to connect better with his/her
students. A blog that a teacher can create can address people who have
succeeded in STEM careers and what their areas of research are. This can
allow students to see what they can do with a STEM career.
Reference
Cole, C. (2012-2013). Connecting students to S.T.E.M. careers [Web log post].
Retrieved from http://connectingstudentstostemcareers.blogspot.com.
Ideas based on literature
6. Cole also mentions teaching Internet usage to students. This allows students to
constantly use the technology that they someday may contribute to. Given the
fact that many students may not have access to a computer or Internet at home
(especially in poorer urban areas), using technology at school becomes even
more important. This does mean an investment by the schools in providing the
technology to students while they are in school. It can also mean redesigning
the curriculum to add time to address topics related to technology and science.
Cole makes a very good point; the down-turn in the economy has spurred
interest in STEM careers. While the general unemployment rate has been rising,
the unemployment rate for STEM careers remains low. The advent of the
Internet and the World Wide Web, as well as advances in computer technology
and electronics, has created a demand for skilled workers. However, these
skilled workers are hard to come by. All of these are good reasons to invest in
finding ways to attract more students to STEM fields.
Reference
Cole, C. (2012-2013). Connecting students to S.T.E.M. careers [Web log post].
Retrieved from http://connectingstudentstostemcareers.blogspot.com.
More ideas based on literature
7. • Social Media for Millennials http://www.slideshare.net/ToddWilms/social-
media-and-stem-for-millenials
• Connecting Students to STEM Careers
http://connectingstudentstostemcareers.blogspot.com/
• The STEM Shortage Myth
http://www.readability.com/read?url=http%3A//prospect.org/article/stem
-shortage-myth
• Google’s QuestTo Get More Women In Tech
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/24/tech/innovation/women-at-i-
o/index.html?c=&page=0
• Empowering Girls in Math and Science
https://www.facebook.com/EmpoweringGirlsInMathAndScience
Links
8. This was a very interesting subject that has been getting quite a bit of
attention in recent months. For a number of years, educators and others
have brought up the fact that the science field is dominated by men. There
has been a push to get more women involved in the sciences, and it has been
show that the earlier that educators can engage girls in the science
fields, the easier it is to keep them in the fields and to ensure that they
ultimately enter a science career. There have been a number of programs
over the years that have aimed at keeping girls interested in science;
however, social media presents a unique opportunity to reach even more
girls and to keep them engaged through a number of years.
Summary
9. As blog posts have shown, there are many different ideas on how to engage
students in STEM. However, there are those that disagree there is a need for
these students. It can be argued that more tech jobs are also needed to
accommodate for an increase in STEM interest.
Ultimately, the consensus is that the US is behind in the sciences. Social
media allows for a dissemination of information to large numbers of
people, and can be useful in engaging students in STEM. As technology
becomes more embedded in our lives, students will realize more and more
the importance of being tech savvy and of knowing how technology works.
Educators can use blogging, social networking, and interactive websites to
illustrate how the technology works and how students can contribute to new
technology. In a few years, there should be no problem getting students
into STEM fields; the problem may be making sure the jobs keep up with the
supply.
Summary
