Young Americans Are More Interested In STEM

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Biochemists, software developers, civil engineers, and research analysts all have one thing in common: these are all classified as occupations under the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math- otherwise known as STEM. STEM-related jobs are responsible for many technological advances that improve the world’s standard of living. Despite society’s dependence on STEM disciplines, studies have been shown that “[j]ust over 1 in 10 [high school] graduates indicated interest in a STEM major or occupation” (The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2013). Many experts agree that more students are needed to pursue these fields; the varying factor is how to get them interested in STEM in the first place. Some people believe schools lay …show more content…

Many young Americans love watching TV shows online, like The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, that do incorporate scientific concepts into their plotlines. What the entertainment industry can do to make young Americans more interested in STEM is to expand on popular themes in Hollywood with science, math, and technological concepts. Mayim Bialik, a neuroscientist and Emmy-nominated actress from The Big Bang Theory, elaborates on this in her article “Use Hollywood Plots and Characters to Teach STEM”: “The confines of a classroom, combined with teaching methods that are not engaging or inspiring, will not get today’s students excited enough about STEM... We need to use content that is relevant to their sensibilities--stuff that is cool-- and to let them experience what it’s like to be a scientist….” The current way in which science and math is promoted is not effective enough to dramatically increase interest in STEM; instead, TV shows and movies can be the type of content that bridges STEM subjects to the career interests of young Americans. Bialik then continues, “Zombies, it turns out, can teach real science and mathematical concepts like exponential growth curves and the intricacies of human anatomy and anatomical degradation...Superheroes can prompt a variety …show more content…

Tara Chklovski, chief executive of Iridescent, a nonprofit devoted to science and engineering education, states this view best by saying that schools lay a good foundation for scientific learning, but the role of parents should be enhanced; they can nurture their children’s creativity and critical thinking skills by experimenting in the kitchen or helping kids with toy designs (Parents Can Help). I concur with the fact that parents can be great motivators for their children’s scientific creativity; for instance, my father has always encouraged me to pursue my curiosity towards science and has been very supportive towards my dreams of working in the science field. However, to state that his support was the only motivator in my decision to pursue my interest in science would be a lie. Relying too much on parents to motivate their children would not let students to enjoy STEM disciplines through other effective mediums; students must learn to enjoy these subjects on their own in order to devote their careers towards them. In addition, the fact that not enough high school students state their interest in STEM show that schools can continue to improve the foundations for STEM curricula. John Mighton, a mathematician, playwright,

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