W0hat is STEM?

• What is STEM and what is it for?

• How are the 4 disciplines connected?

Why Study STEM?

• What’s in it for you?

• The need for innovation and problem solving

Snapshot: How’s the Philippines?

What is STEM? What is STEM Education? What is it For?

What is STEM? Learning the four disciplines in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. The key term,
when talking about studying STEM, is integration. STEM integrates the 4 into a cohesive unit and puts
emphasis on real world applications.

What is STEM?
Science: The systematic study of our world through experiment and observation
Technology: The application of science for practical purpose
Engineering: The application of science and math to solve problems
Math: The science of structure, order and relation0

How are the 4 Disciplines Connected?

Scientific work requires use of technology and math.
- Neutrino Detector: Japan
- LIGO facility: USA James
- Webb Space Telescope: USA
How are the 4 Disciplines Connected?
Solving engineering problems require the application of scientific theories, technology and mathematics.
Example: Construction of the Channel Tunnel

Construction of the Channel Tunnel

- Train line connecting UK and France
- 31.4 miles long
- one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World”
- Average depth of the tunnel is 50 meters below the seabed
Engineering Problems Solved
Identifying types of soil and best place to drill the tunnel Geological Science
Designing concrete lining to withstand immense pressure Material Science
Designing effective ventilation systems to keep tunnels cool Fluid Dynamics

Why Study STEM?

STEM empowers individuals with the skills to succeed in the 21st century workplace.
• critical analysis, problem solving, creativity
• Innovation, teamwork, collaboration
• communication, digital literacy.

The need for Innovation and Problem Solving

Innovation - The process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value or
for which customers will pay
Problem Solving - The Process of working through a problem to reach a solution.

- Climate Change
- Access to Clean Water
- Over population
21st Century Problems are Complex.
Root Cause?
- Carbon Emissions
- Over population
- Capitalism
- Deforestation
Possible Solution?
Reduce Carbon emissions
Do we just adapt
Do we just mitigate
How do we apply our solutions?
- Stop using coal
- Reduce population
- Look for alternative source of energy
Why Study STEM?
The need for STEM graduates is recognized globally
“Employer demand for STEM qualifications and skills is high, and will continue to increase in the
future. 75% in the fastest growing industries require workers with STEM skills.” - Dept. of Education,
Australia 2018
“STEM skills are increasingly required by employers across a broad range of sectors.” - Business
Europe, 2018
“STEM Is Engineering The Future Workforce, Whether You Like It Or Not” - Forbes, USA 2019
Why Study STEM?
STEM Graduates are needed for a competitive economy.
Global Innovation Index: 73 / 129
Global Competitive Index: 56 / 140
Quality of Infrastructure 92 / 140
Technological Readiness 55 / 140
Snapshot: How’s the Philippines?

The Rise of STEM

1950s: the Space Race

70s and 80s: Technological Advancements
90s and 2000s: STEM as a Response to Global Needs
The Rise of STEM Many attribute the start of STEM in the USA and its response to the space race
1957: The launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik.
1958: Creation of NASA and the start of USA space program
1969: Apollo landing on the moon

The Rise of STEM The 70s and 80s continued to see a push that encouraged science education and
technological advancements
1973: First mobile phone call
1981: First Space Shuttle Launch
1975: First PC (Apple 1)
1982: First artificial heart transplant

STEM as a Response to Global Needs

The late 90s and early 2000s, several key studies showed the link of STEM education and economic
prosperity.
2001: NSF coined the term “STEM”
2009: Obama administration announced the educate to innovate initiative, focusing on revising
curriculum for STEM education
2005: Key report in USA emphasized links between STEM and solving societal problems
2013: Aquino signed K-12 program into law

INTRODUCTION TO NAVIGATING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS

SCIENCE IN STEM Students connect and apply science principles and knowledge with technology,
engineering, and mathematics to tackle challenges we face and to solve real-world problems.

TRADITIONAL SCIENCE - Students generally conduct an experiment to test a hypothesis

SCIENCE IN STEM - Engineer solutions for a certain realworld problem
Students connect and apply science principles and knowledge with technology, engineering, and
mathematics to tackle challenges we face and to solve real-world problems.

TRADITIONAL SCIENCE
EXAMPLE: Gathering of information in a certain science experiment (impacts on the effect of acid rain
on a local crop)
SCIENCE IN STEM
EXAMPLE: Use the information and to design a product (a product to lessen the detrimental effects of
acid rain)
TECHNOLOGY IN STEM
• Any innovation or device created by people for the purpose of meeting the human needs.
• Chairs, paper clips, science equipment tools and products that involve industrial arts such as
machinery and manufacturing count as technology.
In STEM classes, students create technologies when they produce products and prototypes to solve
problems.
Through STEM, students learn how to use technologies, recognize how technologies are developed and
analyze how new technologies affect us and others.
Scenario:
You are in the phase of learning new technology course in coding. Are you specifically learning STEM?
- Not necessarily. You are learning a skill to be used in a STEM program. STEM subjects are integrated,
and it is not learned as standalone subjects.
ENGINEERING IN STEM
• Engineering is a bridge for integrating and applying science, mathematics, and technology.
• Engineering is the “glue” that integrates those subjects and forces them toward a workable solution.
• Through STEM, students use engineering to apply the concepts learned from integrated subjects for
practical purposes including the creating of products, prototypes and models that they believe could a
real life problem.
MATHEMATICS IN STEM
• STEM has been a very good venue to eliminate the classic question of students “Why do I need to
learn this stuff?”
• STEM students learn to use their mathematical abilities and understanding to analyze, reason, and
interpret solutions to problems in a variety of real-world scenarios.
• STEM has been the venue for K-12 students to apply the mathematics they learn to real problems.

STEM VS. TRADITIONAL SCIENCE & MATH

Knowledge vs. Implementation

Traditional Science and Mathematics
- Focused on instilling knowledge about the topic.
STEM Education- Focuses learning the topic by actually highlighting its uses in real life
Replication vs. Creation
Traditional Science and Mathematics
Stringent set of rules with clear definitions of right and wrong
STEM Education
Fosters creativity
Learning vs. Doing
Traditional Science and Mathematics
Learning depends on assessment based on standard set
STEM Education
Focuses on raising curiosity
Lectures vs. Interactions
Traditional Science and Mathematics
Students only learn from lectures and most people found it to be boring
STEM Education
Interaction with students encourages exchange ideas and debate
Tests vs. Experiments
Traditional Science and Mathematics
Focused on making sure that students know the concepts, irrespective of whether they understand it
STEM Education
Focuses on understanding the concepts with real-life experiments and applications
PERFORMANCE-BASED TEACHING AND LEARNING
• It is an approach to teaching and learning that emphasizes students being able to do, or perform
specific skills as a result of instruction. In this framework, students demonstrate the ability to apply or
use knowledge, rather than simply knowing the information.

Presentations
• Providing information
• Teaching a skill
• Reporting progress
• Persuading others
Projects
• One of the most common
• Includes research papers, artistic representations
• Usually requires the students to apply their knowledge and skills
Portfolio
• Students can include items that students have created and collected over a period
• Art portfolios are for students who want to apply to art programs in college
Performance
• Dramatic performances
• Dancing
• Recital
• Poetry interpretation
Debate
• Skills include:
- Research
- Argument literacy
- Media
- Reading comprehension
- Evidence evaluation
- Public speaking
THE POWER AND PROMISE OF STEM EDUCATION
• MAKING A DIFFERENCE
• Higher expectations and more challenging curriculum
• Effective strategy for preparing students for work or advanced education
• Prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of 21st century

- TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY FOR EVERYONE

• Use technology
• Manage technology
• Understand technology
• Evaluate/Assess technology

- PROJECT-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES

• Dynamic and activity-based approach to teaching that allows learners to explore real-world problems
and challenges
• Inspire learners to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they are studying
• Students can refine organizational and research skills
• Evaluated on the basis of their projects
• Motivated to learn and do quality work on projects

Quick History of K 12 Transition

What are the Reasons?
- Philippines is the last in Asia and one of 3 in the world that have 10 years basic education
- Better employment opportunities (local and abroad)
- Preparation for college
- Trade skills development
HOMEWORK Data show that research output and the number of scientists in the Philippines are low
compared to our neighbours. • Make an essay of no less than 350 words. • Research: what are the
possible root cause. Apart from the essay, provide data as justification . • Suggest how you as a future
STEM professional could eventually help solve this problem.
State of Technology Closer look: Global Competitiveness Index - Measures the ability of countries to
provide high levels of prosperity to its citizens - Indicator of how productively a country uses available
resources - Measures 12 aspects, or “pillars” 9 th Pillar - Technological Readiness Measures the agility
with which the economy adopts existing technologies to enhance the productivity of its industries
State of Technology
1. Availability of latest technologies 2. Firm level technology absorption 3. FDI and technology Transfer
4. Internet Users 5. Broadband Internet subscriptions 6. Internet Bandwidth 7. Mobile broadband
subscription
WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PUSH STEM FORWARD IN THE COUNTRY? NEDA: Vigorously Advancing
Science, Technology, Innovation Encouraging more people to pursue STEM related courses - Intensify
scholarship programs - RA 7687 (DOST, undergradute) - Merit Scholarship (DOST, undergradute) -
Medical Scholarship (DOH, MD) - ERDT (DOST, Graduate programs) - “Balik Scientist” Program - S&T
experts residing abroad are contracted to return to PH and use their expertise here.

STEM as FIELD OF STUDY OR DISCIPLINE

OUTLINE ›
Mathematics as a way of knowing › Position of Mathematics in the Modern World › Mathematical Focal
Points: Thinking, Importance, Connections MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING What is
Mathematics? • The answer to this question is complex • There are plenty of ways on defining
mathematics due to its complexity MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING What is Mathematics? •
Usual definition states that it is a branch of science which deals with numbers and their operations • In
dictionary, it is defined as the science of numbers and space MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING
What is Mathematics? • Mathematics today is a diverse discipline that deals with data, measurements
and observations from science, with inference, deduction, and proof; and with mathematical models of
natural phenomena, of human behavior, and of social systems MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING
What is Mathematics? • It may also be defined as the study of quantity, structure, space and change •
There are many definitions of mathematics but no one definition is universally accepted MATHEMATICS
AS A WAY OF KNOWING “Mathematics is a science whose subject matter is special forms and
quantitative relationships of the real world” – Angels
MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING “Mathematics is the science, which draws necessary
conclusion” - Pierce MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING “Mathematics is a way to settle in the mind
of children a habit of reasoning” - Locke MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING “Math is the most
logical of sciences. It shows up that the truth can be highly counterintuitive and that sense is hardly
common” -Bertrand Russel MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING What are the aims and purposes of
mathematics? • To provide certainty based on patterns of math • To provide means of proving the
pattern or solution • To provide help in making mathematical assumptions • From these mathematical
assumptions, equations and formulas can be made MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING What kind
of problems can be solved with math? • Abstract and real world solutions can be solved • Solutions are
found through abstract thinking • General patterns are used to reach the conclusion MATHEMATICS AS
A WAY OF KNOWING How does mathematics acquire and accumulate knowledge? • Math is expanded
by intellectual individuals with educated intuitions • Previous knowledge is used like a foundation •
Creativity is necessary for this process MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING What are some key
developments? Who are some key thinkers or innovators? • Greek mathematician Euclid (~300 BCE)
organized geometry to be a more concise sphere of study • His work is the geometry commonly studied
by students all over the world today • Georg Friedrich Bernhard Riemann made changes to Euclid’s
premises and revolutionized his work • These changes included imagining reality as the surface of a
sphere MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING Are there any currently unanswered questions? • Math
does not always provide a solution • Sometimes the process is too complex to understand
MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING What are some real life examples and situations? • Greeks
developed ellipses during the Hellenistic Period for mental exercises • They were later discovered to be
useful because celestial bodies orbited in ellipse • Robert A. Gatenby, MD is a radiologist hoping to use
math in order to predict cancer movement MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING How is math
important to humanity? • It supports natural sciences, like physics, to human sciences, like demography
• Expands the boundaries of other areas of knowledge • Improves standards of living MATHEMATICS AS
A WAY OF KNOWING How is this knowledge important to individuals • Opens up opportunities of higher
education • Provides academic merit • Necessary for a successful scientific career • Needed for daily life
in terms of bank account, taxes, and wages MATHEMATICS AS A WAY OF KNOWING Mathematics as
Analytic • 2+2=4 is equivalent to writing (1+1)+(1+1)=(1+1+1+1) • When you are given an equation, you
just unravel the truth from what it is • It’s simple to make a mistake in math because complex equations
need continuous reasoning • An adaptable short-term memory is useful in mathematics POSITION OF
MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD Mathematics for Life • Knowing mathematics can be personally
satisfying and empowering • The underpinnings of everyday life are increasingly mathematical and
technological • For instance, making purchasing decisions, choosing insurance or health plans, and
voting POSITION OF MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD Mathematics as a part of Cultural Heritage •
Mathematics is one of the greatest cultural and intellectual achievements of humankind • Citizens
should develop an appreciation and understanding of that achievement, including its aesthetic and even
recreational aspects POSITION OF MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD Mathematics for the workplace •
Just as the level of mathematics needed for intelligent citizenship has increased dramatically, so too has
the level of mathematical thinking and problem solving need in the workplace, in professional areas
rang ranging from health care to graphic design POSITION OF MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD Role
of Mathematics in Social Development • Humans are social animals and human life depends upon the
cooperation of each other • In order to live a social life, mathematical knowledge is needed because of
the give and take process • Business and industry depends upon the knowledge of mathematics
POSITION OF MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD Role of Mathematics in Intellectual Development •
Problem solving helps in the development of mental faculties • Develops a strong willpower, patience,
self-reliance • Opens the door for discovery and invention POSITION OF MATHEMATICS IN MODERN
WORLD Role of Mathematics in Vocational Development • Mathematics helps prepare students for
technical and other vocations where mathematics is applied like engineering, architecture, accountancy,
banking, business, and even agriculture, tailoring, surveying, and the office work POSITION OF
MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD Role of Mathematics in Development of Education System •
Common university courses require basic mathematical concepts • Some courses like Physics,
Chemistry, Economics, Business and Accountancy, Geography, Psychology, Architect, and many
vocational areas POSITION OF MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD Role of Mathematics in Development
of Economics • Economics of the society is developed by establishment of industries • Applied
mathematics like computational science, applied analysis, optimization, differential equations, data
analysis, and discrete mathematics are essential in industrial field POSITION OF MATHEMATICS IN
MODERN WORLD Role of Mathematics in Development of Economics • By application of mathematical
methods, the exploration cost of oil and communication cost of images could be reduced • Numerical
simulation of mathematical models helps to manufacture super conductor cables to reduce the cost of
electricity POSITION OF MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD Role of Mathematics in Development of
Infrastructure • Mathematics has contributed to progress in science and technology for thousand of
years and still continues to do so • It finds useful applications in the development of infrastructure
POSITION OF MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD Role of Mathematics in Development of Science and
Technology • It continuously plays a role as the language of science, technology, engineering • It can be
argued that without mathematics, there can neither be science nor engineering POSITION OF
MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD Role of Mathematics in Development of Science and Technology •
Mathematics has been successfully used in the development of science and technology in the 20th -
21st century • The areas like advanced semi-conductor devices, biotechnology, digital image technology,
nanotechnology, artificial satellites, and rockets all are based on mathematical concepts POSITION OF
MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD Role of Mathematics in Development of Medical Science and
Agricultural Field • Applications  Agriculture  Ecology  Epidemiology  DNA Sequencing POSITION
OF MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD Role of Mathematics in Cultural and Moral Development • A
cultured citizen is one who follows the norms of society and one who is a civilized person • Mathematics
is a subject which is exact, real, original, and precise, and one who studies mathematics needs to follow
the laws and rules