Changing the STEM Equation This Summer

In California and around the U.S., the public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors alike are investing resources and forging new partnerships to address America's glaring education crisis in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Initiatives to bolster STEM education are becoming ubiquitous, with President Obama repeatedly emphasizing the critical importance of STEM in his 2011 State of the Union address and announcing the launch of the Change the Equation STEM business initiative. STEM education programs are now expanding beyond the traditional school year and school day to become an important component of summertime learning programs. It's not a moment too soon.

All children, especially disadvantaged students from low-income communities, lose academic skills and knowledge over the summer -- an epidemic known as "summer learning loss." Losing math skills and science knowledge is a common occurrence for those students who lack exposure to these subjects during the summer months.

At the national level, three of the nation's leading after-school and summer learning organizations have joined forces to promote STEM learning during the out-of-school hours. The Afterschool Alliance, National AfterSchool Association (NAA), and National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) are working together to advance effective, meaningful STEM learning after school and during the summer.

California can and should do more to help curb summer learning loss in math and science. As a former science teacher, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is passionate about increasing summertime access to STEM learning, and is working with organizations such as the nonprofit Partnership for Children and Youth to implement a new vision for summer learning that includes STEM learning and enrichment.

Also in California, innovative efforts like EnCorps Teachers Program, which recruits and trains mid-career professionals to become math and science teachers in under-resourced schools, STEM innovation competitions like STEMposium and the California STEM Learning Network (CSLNet), which works to catalyze innovation in STEM teaching and learning, are likewise working to expand access to excellent STEM education during the school year.

Summer learning programs are wisely recognizing that summertime offers a wealth of opportunities to engage students in interesting activities, field trips, guest lectures, and outdoor experiments that bring science, technology, engineering and math to life outside the classroom in fun and memorable ways. Perhaps most importantly, these summer programs send students back to school with greater enthusiasm for STEM learning once the school year begins.

Now is an opportune time for California's STEM education community to innovate, advocate and invest in STEM education as part of summer learning programs. As a leader in driving technological and social innovation, California can lead by example in making STEM teaching and learning a summertime priority.

 

Follow Jennifer Peck on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pfcay

Comments

[Anita Brady]

03:03 PM on 08/04/2011

Unfortunately, this science teacher has experienced the "new curriculum"-- I have been ordered not to teach certain important units because there are "not enough questions" on the state test.

Imagine, being a Biology Teacher and being ordered to NOT teach the Human Body Unit. The Animal and Plant Kingdoms have also fallen by the way-side.

Thank goodness, Retirement is coming soon....

[bwsmith]

07:41 PM on 08/06/2011

Whoever gave you those orders should be disbarred from educational leadership. We need to get veteran educators like you into positions where your knowledge and skills are appreciated, not disused, which is what is happening now. Of course, to make this happen, it would be easier if new schools with a more holistic vision of education were allowed to open by superintendents and school boards who are essential to maintaining the status quo. But in the mean time, I hope you will not lose your authentic passion for teaching science.

[magnoliaparents]

02:50 PM on 08/04/2011

For a couple of years, we have been only hearing news about lack of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, and complaints about students not being motivated in math and science. However, at our charter school you witness students who don’t want to be ever dismissed from the school’s Advanced Math and Science program. They have after school classes and so much fun.

You cannot imagine how big an opportunity this is if you are not raised in a neighborhood in poverty. Students in such conditions are mostly Latino and African-American kids where the current education system fails to provide robust education and services to them.

More @ http://parents4magnolia.org/2011/03/12/stem-education-at-magnolia-schools/

[Robert Schwartz]

11:12 AM on 08/04/2011

Thank you for shining a light in this much needed area. Summer programs are more than just about summer learning loss. They are opportunities for students to explore subjects not available to them in their schools. They are opportunities for learning acceleration and deeper learning with greater personalization and customization. Effective summer programs give students a chance to engage with other like minded students. STEM programs are particularly important as our schools are cutting science education and math education is regressing to minimum basic skills.