Will your child code the next great app?
In the previous few years, STEM has become less of a buzzword and more of an educational imperative, with everyone from Fortune 500 CEOs to politicians imploring that we prepare our students for the world of STEM.
Let’s think for a second, generally, about what people trained in STEM are able to do in the workplace. Critical thinking would top the list, followed by computational skills and investigational inquiry. Depending on the specific field, creativity may or may not be required.
These are hallmarks of the Common Core, even in the decidedly non-STEM subject of English/language arts. So how do teachers, STEM or not, train students to compete?
More technology
The first item might seem obvious, considering technology is the second word in the STEM acronym, but even teachers in non-STEM subjects need to facilitate technology usage in their classrooms.
That means if a student in your English class wants to make a short digital film or podcast for a project, let them. If they want to code a website or blog, cheer them on. The student that can balance STEM with communication skills will have a distinct advantage in the economy.
Highlight critical thinking
Success in STEM often comes down to critical thinking, as those subjects and tasks often rely on finding a creative way to solve a problem. Not surprisingly, critical thinking might be the cornerstone of the Common Core.
Critical thinking appears in almost every subject in the curriculum, even electives. Any task that asks students to generate solutions systematically without rote memorization is calling for critical thinking. Simply make more of those tasks available to your students.
Push coding
As was mentioned earlier, the true marketability of a student’s skills comes at the intersection of STEM and something non-STEM, as conventional thought has those skills in two separate silos. For example, the person that sees a need for a new app for musicians will stand to be more successful if they can code the app themselves.
The web is full of coding resources, all free. Code.org does a great job of organizing the websites and MOOC courses that can help students learn a variety of coding languages. Give kids the option to practice these skills in your class.
Encourage AP Computer Science
Considering how STEM is becoming a national priority, it’s amazing that only 1 in 10 high schools offer AP Computer Science, the AP class that teaches coding and algorithms. If your school offers the class, be proactive in identifying students that could benefit and make them aware of the possibilities. If your school doesn’t offer the class, perhaps all it takes is a push from concerned faculty to make it happen on your campus.