What's missing from the Renaissance Academy dialogue is how over-emphasizing STEM education comes at the expense of other very needed subjects. Students still need the skills offered by humanities and social sciences that a well-rounded, holisitic education offers. Countries that produce large number of folks with higher-order STEM skills don’t have STEM programs or explicit STEM priorities. Rather, they have functional education systems. These STEM programs are just a workforce band-aid on our education system that only serves the interests of industry leaders looking for large/competitive labor pools.
This is SUCH a needed point, Catherine! Schools aren't meant to be little minion factories for industry. I am so glad you added this comment and context - thank you!
What's missing from the Renaissance Academy dialogue is how over-emphasizing STEM education comes at the expense of other very needed subjects. Students still need the skills offered by humanities and social sciences that a well-rounded, holisitic education offers. Countries that produce large number of folks with higher-order STEM skills don’t have STEM programs or explicit STEM priorities. Rather, they have functional education systems. These STEM programs are just a workforce band-aid on our education system that only serves the interests of industry leaders looking for large/competitive labor pools.
This is SUCH a needed point, Catherine! Schools aren't meant to be little minion factories for industry. I am so glad you added this comment and context - thank you!