We often hear about the news of employees being laid off by international companies due to the introduction of Artificial Intelligence in jobs and technological advancements are happening on a daily basis. Jobs are getting automated rapidly, then what would happen in the future if this continues? The solution is STEM education. It is not just a subject at school, STEM courses help our future generation to overcome problems and train them to solve the greatest challenges the world may face.
STEM training is crucial because it educates students with the skills and knowledge essential for success. As a result, in all the industries that are growing quickly, there is a rise in the need for highly qualified people with solid domain knowledge and technological abilities. Therefore, the importance of STEM education is increasing in the current scenario of globalisation.
What is stem education and why is it important?
STEM stands for Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and it does not mean being an expert in all these fields. STEM Education refers to studying these areas with a theoretical and practical approach and utilising the essential knowledge and abilities that drive them. It is a crucial part of modern education. With the rapid advancements in technology and scientific knowledge, STEM education is essential for the development of skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and creativity.
STEM has been introduced to stand for an individual approach to learning and teaching that is based on each student’s unique learning preferences, capacity, and interests. STEM education highlights the application of knowledge to real-life problems while integrating ideas that are often taught as separate disciplines in various classrooms.
A STEM curriculum is created to provide students with as much practical exposure and hands-on experience in a certain profession as feasible. It provides the ideal blending of course modules with a few required lab assignments and group projects, which aid in learning via the application of theoretical information in the real world.
Importance of STEM education:
An increasing number of startups, innovation hubs, and R&D facilities are located in India, which is swiftly becoming a worldwide technological powerhouse. Accordingly, there is a rising need for qualified workers in STEM fields.
STEM skills are required in almost every career. 75 percent of the fastest-growing careers demand STEM education and skills. 82 percent of the employees say they value STEM skills even if they are not required for the job. STEM education will help you to get a job easily or enhance your potential to earn a higher salary.
With conventional professions like engineering and medicine as well as new ones like robotics and artificial intelligence, STEM courses provide a wide range of job prospects. The demand for STEM careers has grown 79 percent, but the percentage of students enrolling in STEM courses is very low.
India has one of the largest youth populations, with the majority of the population under the age of 30. STEM education for students encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and creativity. These abilities are necessary not only in STEM industries but also in all aspects of life, from personal decision-making to communal issue resolution.
Also Read: Everything about ICSE Board You Need to Know
Government Initiatives to Support STEM Education in India:
The Indian educational system in our country has evolved and is always changing. The teaching and learning processes have been fundamentally altered by a forward-thinking educational strategy and the complexity of the post-pandemic new normal. With innovative advancements like online education, India is able to stay up. And according to our academics, STEM education is urgently needed.
Our policymakers have adopted this educational strategy in accordance with the best global educational systems. In addition, our students must develop STEM preparedness in order to be successful in the workforce and in their careers. To advance STEM education in India, the government has taken many steps:
The Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL):
This program was introduced in 2016. The program’s goal is to encourage students’ creativity and innovation by giving them access to materials and technologies that may be used to create original concepts and creations. These technology-filled laboratories, which are put up in schools all around the nation, include 3D printers, robotics kits, and programming tools.
Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA):
This government program was introduced in 2015. The program seeks to provide students with practical experience while enhancing the standard of science and mathematics instruction in schools.
National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations:
This program by the Government of India supports startups and entrepreneurs in the STEM field. It helps innovators to turn their ideas into successful businesses by providing funding, guidance, and other resources.
Skill India:
It was launched by the government in 2015. The purpose of Skill India is to provide practical training for the youth population in various sectors, including STEM. The programme offers a variety of classes and workshops which helps students to get jobs quickly and to handle the competition in the global economy.
STEM-related innovation and creativity support the economic growth of a country by developing new products and services as well as improving those already present. Countries that focus on STEM education typically experience faster economic growth and development compared to other nations.
STEM Courses:
Students interested in STEM education can pursue the undergraduate and post-graduate degrees available in the following STEM fields.
- Computer Science and Information Technology
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology and Life Sciences
- Environmental Science
- Astrophysics
- Geology and Earth Sciences
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Robotics
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Data Science
- Cybersecurity
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Medical Sciences and Healthcare Technology
- Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology
Conclusion:
We cannot predict what kind of jobs may exist after 20 or 30 years. In EuroSchool we understand that STEM education will help our students to be prepared for those future challenges. We believe STEM education plays a crucial role in shaping the 21st century. We encourage our kids to explore the STEM courses available and we are excited to see their success in life. Visit EuroSchool to know more.
