 |
| Image Source: Science Mag [2] |
STEAM: science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics recognizes that creative expression expands the intellect and learning. It allows us to be more than "left-brained" or "right-brained" and increases the faculties of individuals in science-related fields.
I of course applaud this and the emphasis on diversity, but forgive me if I'm a bit cynical. Our American Society sadly, is rooted in a structure of divide and conquer: even the SAT, which has no bearing on a student's aptitude or motivation in college, is more of a gatekeeper than an accurate predictor of educational success.
I of course applaud this and the emphasis on diversity, but forgive me if I'm a bit cynical. Our American Society sadly, is rooted in a structure of divide and conquer: even the SAT, which has no bearing on a student's aptitude or motivation in college, is more of a gatekeeper than an accurate predictor of educational success.
We've foisted this global economy on ourselves without thinking of the consequences. Our children are literally competing with the planet, where creationism and science denial has no place. We'd better get in the business of ensuring all levels of our society have a chance at trade school, community programs and four year colleges, along with the associated employment for them when they need it to start families, and the elimination of loan debt. The current formula will not make us "great again": it will likely lead to modern feudalism, a system inherently undemocratic and non republic.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to make the U.S. scientific community more inclusive. And the more ideas, the better.
This week NSF announced its intention to hand out small grants later this year to dozens of institutions to test novel ways of broadening participation in science and engineering. Winners of the 2-year, $300,000 pilot grants will be eligible to compete next year for up to five, $12.5 million awards over 5 years. NSF is calling the program INCLUDES. (The acronym stands for a real jaw-breaker: inclusion across the nation of communities of learners of underrepresented discoverers in engineering and science.)
The underrepresentation of women and minorities in the scientific workforce is a problem that has persisted for decades despite many well-meaning federal initiatives. NSF Director France Cordova has spoken repeatedly about her intention of moving the needle on the issue since taking office in March 2014. And this initiative, totaling roughly $75 million, could well be the signature program of her 6-year term. [1]
Our culture has drawn an artificial line between art and science, one that did not exist for innovators like Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Jobs. Leonardo’s curiosity and passion for painting, writing, engineering and biology helped him triumph in both art and science; his study of anatomy and dissections of corpses enabled his incredible drawings of the human figure. When introducing the iPad 2, Jobs, who dropped out of college but continued to audit calligraphy classes, declared: “It’s in Apple’s DNA that technology alone is not enough — it’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the result that makes our heart sing.” (Indeed, one of Apple’s scientists, Steve Perlman, was inspired to invent the QuickTime multimedia program by an episode of “Star Trek.”) [2]
1. We don’t need more STEM majors. We need more STEM majors with liberal arts training.
Dr. Loretta Jackson-Hayes
2. NSF launches long-awaited diversity initiative, Jeffery Mervis
No comments:
Post a Comment