What's missing in STEM?
Janpha Thadphoothon, Ed D
A Japanese engineer and his land mine clearing machine --- one reason why STEM might have missed something truly important.
In an effort to improve the quality of Thai education, we have experienced the discourse of reformation from policy makers and decision makers. One of which is the integration of several disciplinary fields known by its acronym as STEM or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In fact, many schools in Thailand, they claim, have been implementing this integrative instructional approach. The aim of this paper, however, is to discuss what STEM really is and point out its shortcomings. And suggest a more holistic approach which would help improve Thai education as wished.
What's missing in STEM model?
According to http://www.livescience.com, STEM is a curriculum.
STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.STEM is a model originated in the USA. It receives more attention after President Obama called for the improvement of American science capability.
Elaine J. Hom (www.livescience.com) reported that STEM has not been appreciated by American students.
Though the United States has historically been a leader in these fields, fewer students have been focusing on these topics recently.
It clearly was ordinate in the US aiming to address the American problems. Thailand, somehow, has similar problems. Therefore, some people think, it makes sense to implement the same model of education. Is this the right path? Is this idea valid?
So, what's missing? Many, but the most crucial one is caring and creativity. Let me tell you a story of a Japanese engineer in Cambodia. he first was assigned to help clean the land mines (over six millions +) in the country. At first he just did his duty. As an engineer, he was trying to solve the problems, and one of which is safety and the second is efficiency. How to make the cleaning safe and effective.
The engineer had tried many experiments, beyond his duty. He ran out of money. So, he was forced to use his own money. Many times he was about to give it up. But what kept him going on is his sympathy and caring attitudes. He saw many locals suffering from the mines and many of them ended up being disabled persons. Children could not play and walking in the fields and forests is very dangerous.
Photo credit: www.globalgiving.org
He is the person who has invented a machine that can collect land mines -- safe and effective. The progress of mine clearing has gone up significantly. His model (machine) has been adopted by the United Nations and becomes a model for every country around the world.
He once told a journalist how he manged to endure the hardship and obstacles in all fronts. "I am pleased to see the children being able to run and play safely in the fields. I am so sad to see the suffering of the people"
The story is a gentle reminder of whoever is in charge of making policies. There are plenty more vignettes similar to this. All share one thing in common, that is, it's caring that motivates us humans to excel.
What' s missing in STEM is not beyond our ability to predict.
References
Japan: helping Cambodia clean up its landmines by Katharina Kaun
http://www.euronews.com/2016/03/17/japan-helping-cambodia-clean-up-its-landmines/
Lipman, M. (2003). Thinking in Education (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
What is STEM education? From http://www.livescience.com/43296-what-is-stem-education.html
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