Category: Education

STEM leaders have made countless contributions and inventions that have changed the world around us. Children need to learn about a variety of STEM leaders so they can understand that there are plenty of STEM opportunities depending on likes and interests.

From computer programming to finding cures for diseases, everyone can find a type of STEM that interests them.

1. Alan Turing

Making significant contributions to both mathematics and technology, Alan Turning is a STEM leader whose work continues to change the world. During World War II, he worked as a codebreaker by decoding German military intelligence that the Allied forces could then use. After his time as a codebreaker, he spent time creating an electronic computer and laying the groundwork for artificial intelligence. His prototype, the Universal Turing Machine, is what many consider the first modern computer.

2. Dr. Charles Drew

Dr. Charles Drew might be a science leader you might not be familiar with, but his contributions to the medical field probably have impacted your life. He developed the first blood bank and led significant research on blood transfusions and storage. Not only was Drew the leading pioneer in blood collections and storage, but he was also an accomplished surgeon who taught many other doctors. While his work was done to save soldiers during World War II, his work is still saving lives decades later.

3. Rear Admiral Grace Hopper

Not only was Rear Admiral Grace Hooper an accomplished naval officer, but she was also a technology pioneer by providing contributions to computer programming and software development. Leading a team of programmers, she created the first computer language compiler and the first computer programming language based on English commands. Hopper’s work with computer programming changed how computers were used, and her work’s legacy continues today.

4. Henry Ford

While most people associate Henry Ford with the Ford Motor Company, he is responsible for countless other contributions to society. Ford didn’t invent the automobile but created the Model T, which was an automobile that was more accessible to Americans. He was able to lower his costs by using his engineering skills to create the first assembly line which revolutionized factories and mass production. Without his engineering skills, auto travel and manufacturing would look quite different today.

5. Tu Youyou

Tu Youyou’s determination to science is something that should be an example to us all. Without a doctorate or medical degree, she made one of the most important medical discoveries…a cure for malaria. After contracting tuberculosis as a child, she knew she wanted to study diseases, and she used ancient Chinese text to help discover that artemisinin was the key ingredient needed to develop a cure. Because of her findings, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and she was the first mainland Chinese scientist to receive a scientific Nobel Prize.

6. Mario Molina

As a child, Mario Molina was fascinated by the microscope and spent endless hours studying it, and as an adult, he was able to use his learnings to help the environment by figuring out what was causing a hole in the ozone layer. Due to his findings and advocacy for environmental reform, he was even awarded a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Using both science and mathematics, Molina was able to help save the environment and limit the amount of damage to the ozone layer.

7. Charles Babbage

Even though his computer looked much different from what we use today, Charles Babbage is credited with creating the first automatic digital computer. Known as the Father of Computing, he invented the Difference Engine Number 1, the first machine to calculate and print math tables, and he started work on the Analytical Engine, a machine which intended to retain data that could be used for calculations, but lacked the funding to finish it. Babbage used science, mathematics, and engineering knowledge to create one of the first forms of technology that paved the way for the technology we use today.

8. Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who used her skills to help send the first man to the moon. As a way to double-check the computers, she calculated the trajectory of the spaceships, and her calculations were always accurate. Because of her bravery, she was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Despite having to overcome both gender and race discrimination, she became an inspiration to girls and women as a celebrated NASA mathematician.  The have been a movie, Hidden Figures, and numerous books based on her work.

STEM leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and have diverse experiences, but their differences are the reason for their contributions. It’s crucial that children know that no matter what their circumstances are, they too can become a STEM leader and change the world. In times of personal challenges, virtual counseling for teens can provide the support they need to stay focused and motivated.

About the Author:
Valerie Cox is a contributing writer for LOC Scientific. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and volunteering in her local community.

There’s no escaping the fact that we live in a technologically enhanced age. This has had a significant effect across various facets of our society. For our children, it has become a constant presence not just in their social lives and family time, but also within their classrooms.

It’s certainly true that there are incredible benefits to this. The introduction of technology at an early stage of their development means that students are better prepared for its use in their personal lives, university, and the workplace. They are digital natives, after all, and these tools will play a key role in how they live, and their ability to contribute to society in a relevant and even innovative way.

However, it’s also important to understand that there are limits to the positive influence technology can offer. It’s not innately harmful, but there are potentially problematic areas unless digital safety measures are introduced to protect students in all areas of their learning journey.

We’re going to take a closer look at the risks of technology as an aid in K-12 education. Where can it drift from useful to problematic, and how can teachers and parents best respond?

Technological Reliance

One of the areas that concern parents and teachers a lot of the time when it comes to technology, is the potential for students to become too reliant upon it. While these tools will factor significantly in their lives, and some — like Google Workspace — straddle both educational and professional fields, they aren’t the be-all and end-all.

When addressing this, it’s important to take stock of how tech is used, rather than just declaring arbitrary limits. The internet of things (IoT), in particular, plays an increasing role in K-12 education. This ecosystem of connected objects helps teachers and students collaborate in the classroom and remotely, scan and share important documentation, and keep the curriculum organized and accessible for everyone involved.

There are also innate risks in cybersecurity and costs, but being able to get a good idea of how far-reaching the benefits are helps us to be vigilant of potential overuse. We can see what elements of day-to-day learning and administration technology are used for, and make informed decisions about how to mitigate the risk of reliance.

Striving for balance can be a positive approach

Educators and parents should work together to assess which tools are being used in the classroom, which skills they’re providing students, and which abilities may be neglected as a result.

If students primarily utilize search engines to research, are they also being provided with the skills to manually research in libraries or critically examine the credibility of their sources?

If assignments are accessed and provided via the cloud, are teachers also introducing them to be proactive about finding alternatives should the system fail?

Make it clear that these tools should support students in their endeavors rather than being the only options.

Health and Accessibility Problems

While we can consider technology a generally positive presence in schools, we also have to take into account technologies impact on students’ well being. There has long been some debate over whether incorporating technology into children’s lives can have adverse effects in this regard. While it is unlikely that the mere presence of technology in the classroom can be damaging, there are health risks that teachers, parents, and students should be aware of.

Among the most prevalent of these risks is directly related to screen use. In K-12 classes, there will be various types of screens that will be in use throughout the students’ day — laptops, television monitors, projectors, even smartphones for educational apps or during recess periods.

Staring at screens for prolonged periods may be instrumental in causing or exacerbating vision issues in developing eyes. Teachers and parents should be watchful for the early signs of eye problems — squinting, poor attention spans, and persistent headaches are all common symptoms here. Where possible, they should limit the amount of time screens are in use during learning or encourage the installation of blue light filters.

Aside from causing health issues, technology may well be problematic for students that already live with accessibility challenges. As such, schools and teachers need to consider whether the tools they are using can be operated by all students. This should include compatibility with assistive technology, but also extend to whether websites are designed for accessibility. Can they be read by screen reading software? Is there a contrast ratio of 4.5:1, which is the minimum recommended under web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG)?

Privacy and Social Issues

There is a lot of uncertainty about whether technology impacts kids’ social development, but it does open them up to developing or being subjected to detrimental behaviors. Among the most common of these is cyberbullying. This isn’t just concerning from the perspective that bullying can be undertaken anonymously and subject students to disruptive and dangerous abuse.

When there is technology in every facet of their lives, including in the classroom, the student can feel as though these attacks are relentless and inescapable. Not only do teachers and parents need to be vigilant for the signs of cyberbullying, there must also be a focus on ensuring the classroom can be a safe space away from it.

Aside from the prospect of bullying, there is the potential for students’ privacy to be impacted, too. Every time students interact with applications and websites there is the potential for their personal and behavioral data to be collected, shared, and sold. Sometimes this is undertaken legitimately by businesses, at others it may be stolen by cybercriminals. This opens them up not only to targeting by advertisers, but also potential fraudulent use of their identities. If technology is to be used in the classroom, there must also be an emphasis on teaching safe behavior, and how to protect themselves against these risks.

Conclusion

Technology is an essential tool for students from kindergarten to grade 12 as it plays such a central role in their lives. However, it is important to be fully aware of the various risks involved. Teachers and parents must work together to help students understand these, and be provided with the tools and knowledge to better mitigate the potential negative consequences.

STEM education can help your child develop strong analytic and observational skills. Even if your child does not become a STEM professional, engagement with these topics can foster a greater curiosity for the world and drive a passion for learning that can last a lifetime.

Here’s some more information about what topics and fields STEM education involves, and how you can foster a passion for STEM in your child.

What We Know About STEM

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This is a term that was coined by Judith Ramaley in 2001 to describe an area in which science is the main foundation. These subjects are extremely important when it comes to the growth and the economic development of a country. Unfortunately, when it comes to the achievements in the STEM areas, the United States has been behind several competing countries. When a country has a strong STEM foundation, it can open the door to growth and achievement.

STEM and Children

When it comes to STEM Education, young ones must be involved. Historically, the science field has been dominated by white men. In order to make a change in the field, parents have to invest time and energy in teaching their young children about science; this is specifically the case in girls and people of color. In reality, science can be enjoyable, educational, and rewarding. It all depends on the way that you choose to teach your children. You are about to read some helpful tips for teaching STEM subjects to children.

Science

The science part of STEM includes a host of different topics such as chemistry, geology, astronomy, and biology. When you expose your children to the sciences, they may decide to pursue a career in biology, agriculture, meteorology, zoology, or anything in the medical profession.

Start out by presenting different scientific topics to your kids in a fun way. On a starry night, take your kids outside and look up into the sky. Begin by teaching them the name of the constellations. Why not purchase a telescope as well? When it comes to chemistry, do something simple like teaching your child how to make a simple volcano. There are great YouTube videos that can help with that.

Technology

Children who are interested in technology might grow up to become software engineers, coders, computer programmers, or video game designers. Something as simple as playing a video game with your children can be a start. Next comes details about how video games are created. Reshma Saujani, the girls who code founder, has innovative lessons and books for girls when it comes to coding. She offers great resources to help your daughter to get even more interested in the fun aspects of coding.

Engineering

Children who are interested in engineering will go on to work as chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, or structural engineers who build roads, create medical equipment, and operate electrical systems. Engage your children by doing DIY engineering projects with them. Build fun things with your kids; you can use blocks, legos, or even just bottles. Teach your kids that figuring out how things are made can be fun.

Math

Engineers generally have a strong mathematics background, so make math enjoyable for your kids. Instead of making math one-dimensional, use toys, colors, pictures, and cards to teach the fun aspects of math. Your kids will be learning math in school, but it is not always taught in a way that is best for every young and creative mind. Start out with things that are simple and use game-based learning to help your children to see math as something that can be simple and enjoyable.

STEM In Your Family

For educators, motivating students to explore new areas of interest and eagerly accept new ways of learning is always a challenge. As a parent, you are the biggest influence on your children’s interests. Exposing children to a variety of different subjects will enable them to be consistent and curious learners. Delve into your child’s interests and present them with games, videos, and toys that are STEM-based. We need more variety in the STEM field, and it all starts with you.

Everyone has a story within them – the problem that many have is that they lack the tools and encouragement to do so. When you put together the right community and technology, everyone has the power to unleash their story. As Alice Walker the American novelist says, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”

People have a habit of sharing parts of their story on social media to the tune of 7.5 million daily blog posts.

These posts include 1 million LinkedIn posts, and over 415 million posts on Facebook and Twitter.  Storytelling helps you achieve success: it makes any fact 22 times more memorable.

Write Your Goals

People that write down goals are 1.5x more likely to achieve their goals.  It also is not as time consuming as you might think, where only 15 minutes over 3 days can improve your mental and physical health.

The psychological benefits of writing include allowing you to heal by processing emotions faster than non-writing methods.  It’s easier to communicate difficult concepts and help you work on your communication skills.  Self-reflection is key – as British actress Emma Watson has stated: “I think your thoughts are so much less frightening when they’re tangible, when you can see them on a page in front of you.”

How To Start Your Story

First, decide what to write about.  Build it up as a habit and start small – even 10 minutes at a time. It’s key to commit and make it a daily / several times a week habit. Daily journaling can also continue your positive habit forming process.

Daily habits and journaling aren’t enough to keep the process going.  Each writer needs support, guidance, and feedback from others in order to be successful. In addition, there are new technologies that have emerged that allow one to socialize writing. You can even create, protect, and sell personal content through these systems.

Connect with Other Writers and Storytellers

If you need help, there are private communities of writers to help you collaborate. There are also online writing workshops for budding writers, as well as newbie authors who want to tell their story.

Don’t keep your story to yourself any longer. Writing your story can help unlock your greatness.

Check out this Infographic on The Secret Power of Telling Your Story:

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