As educators we must network with Scientific Societies, sharing ideas and interests that best meet the needs of our learners. Still our educational system is one-sided which means any funding and material needed to properly prepare our learners to be competitive in the market is just not there. We have to push our students towards a successful path, but through education and understanding the importance of STEM education. Yet, it doesn’t stop there with this present day and age because parents have become less active in the school system than they were in the past, leaving most of responsibility of the students education to the educator.
Science should be a major focus for our learners, but if this is so, what happens along the way to discourage our learners from pursuing a career in the field? Funding for inner city schools and poverty related neighborhoods or lack of quality educators who actually care to make the change? In my opinion, these questions need to be answered to prepare for the next generation of STEM learners. Anthony DePass an Assistant Professor of Biology at Long Island University describes the success of minorities as being critical if particular interests are not discussed which includes:
· Asking for what you need
· Funding for collaborations
· Networking to collaborations
· Finding your Scientific Society
From the inside looking inward the entire system is making a conscious effort to make strides in preparing our learners for success, but there is a valid point being overlooked and that is meeting the needs of the student for future success.
Improving science education in the U.S. will require strong federal leadership along with an examination of science curricula “department by department, community by community” around the country (Somers, 2010). Innovative thinking along with a generation of demanding educators will be needed if we are to provide the materials for the success of our learners. Simply put, we need a stronger work ethic and curricula, educators whom are not afraid to demand the materials and necessities to provide our learners with future success in Science.
Resources
Thomas, T. (2001, March 2). Underrepresented minorities in science: *Feature index*. Science. Retrieved from http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2001_03_02/no DOI.8509636557301036020
Somers, B. (2010, April 2). Despite gains, obstacles still exist for diversity in STEM education, says AAAS’s Shirley Malcom. AAAS News Archive. Retrieved from http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2010/0402malcom_testify.shtml
