STEM fields, comprised of science, technology, engineering and math, have become an increasingly significant focus in K-12 education in the last decade. Studying STEM subjects is significant in terms of increasing overall literacy and ability to understand concepts from these subjects, but jobs in these fields are also growing exponentially, which means that students who study STEM will be prepared to achieve career goals and work in a growing industry.
What is STEM literacy?
Each STEM subject has a set of competencies associated with its particular field of study, including science literacy and mathematics and numerical literacy. Taken together, STEM literacy is defined as the ability of a student to use concepts from STEM fields to understand and develop solutions to a variety of problems.
The significance of STEM literacy
While the U.S. is a world leader in STEM academics, research and industry, many of these fields have a shortage of American workers due to skill gaps. This issue is compounded by the reality that STEM fields are currently experiencing exponential growth.
A report published on STEMConnector.org estimates that there will be roughly 8.65 million individuals working STEM jobs in 2018, and in this century, roughly 60 percent of new jobs available will be in STEM fields. However, current projections demonstrate that there won’t be enough U.S. workers to fill all these roles.
As a result, the U.S. government has re-invested in these fields in order to improve K-12 STEM education and draw more students to STEM majors and careers to ensure that U.S. professionals increase their numbers in these fields.
Required skills and knowledge for STEM literacy
STEM literacy requires an understanding of the fields of science, technology, engineering, math and computer sciences as well as how to use these skills to develop theories and solve problems.
Science
Students must be able to use their knowledge of scientific subjects to comprehend the world around them and how it functions.
Technology
Students must be able to understand the process that goes into developing new technologies as well as the impact that this has on humans.
Engineering
Students must be able to combine their knowledge of math and science in order to solve practical problems and develop innovations.
Math
Students are able to understand math in all of its processes, including the ability to pose, formulate and solve math equations.
Computer science
Students must be able to utilize and develop computer hardware and software and interpret how innovations impact society as a whole. Additionally, they should have the skills needed to problem-solve by employing computer algorithms.
STEM literacy rate
The U.S. Department of Education does not currently publish the rate of STEM literacy for K-12 students. However, it reports that only 16 percent of high school seniors are currently math-proficient, indicating a continuing need for STEM education initiatives.
However, as a result of a new emphasis on K-12 STEM engagement, Ed.gov also indicated that student interest in careers in technology and engineering has risen about 20 percent in the past 10 years. One-quarter of today’s high school students reported having interest in a STEM degree.
In addition, male students have historically outperformed female students in STEM fields and have also been more likely to pursue STEM majors and related careers. However, this trend has begun to shift as well. Women now enroll in STEM classes at the same rate as their male counterparts, especially in math and biology. Men remain more likely to enroll in engineering classes and obtain more bachelor’s degrees in engineering, computer science, physics and engineering.
Assessing STEM literacy
Because STEM fields vary greatly and the term itself involves the study of different subjects, measuring literacy in these fields requires assessing student performance in each of these subjects separately. However, more and more, students are being measured on both their knowledge as well as their application of this information as well.
STEM fields are growing, and projections state that they will only increase in the coming years. Working to increase student interest and attainment in these fields not only increases their academic potential and performance, but it also opens up a myriad of career opportunities for them as well.
Caitrin Blake has a B.A. in English and Sociology from the University of Vermont and a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Colorado Denver. She teaches composition at Arapahoe Community College.
Learn More: Click to view related resources.
"STEM Literacy," U.S. Department of Education
"State of Girls and Women in STEM," National Girls Collaborative Project