
Imagine... a world without science, technology, engineering or math. Life would definitely be different. No cell phones. Bye-bye umbrellas. Adios airplanes. The world is our laboratory and everything we’ve invented or discovered is somehow connected to science, technology, engineering or math.
What is STEM and why should I care?
STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Did you know that by the time U.S. students reach their senior year of high school, they rank below their counterparts in 17 other countries in math and science literacy, according to the Third International Mathematics and Science Study, the largest international study of scientific achievement ever conducted? It’s a cold, hard fact that when it comes to educating the next generation in these subjects, America is no longer a world contender. In fact, U.S. students have fallen far behind their competitors in much of Western Europe and in advanced Asian nations like Japan, India, China and South Korea.
Now What?
Reinvigorating our country’s science and technology enterprise is a top priority for education and government leadership. A myriad of programs and projects are being launched to inspire students to pursue careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields in order to ensure that our nation is prosperous, innovative, and competitive. One of the latest is called “Educate to Innovate” an initiative announced by President Obama in November 2009 to expand the scope and scale of STEM educational opportunities.
Parents, teachers and students... we encourage you to use the resources and links on this site to imagine what you can do with science, technology, engineering and math! Click on the letters to the right for more information in each area.
Select a video from the list below to view.
Exciting Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
WVIZ/PBS ideastream, in cooperation with the Science and Math Achievement Required for Tomorrow (SMART) Consortium, has developed Great Job!, a video series for the 6th through 8th grade STEM curriculum, designed to raise student and community awareness of STEM careers and the college-ready/work ready education available through Ohio’s K-12 and University system.
These videos take students on a "day in the life" of several Ohio-educated scientists and engineers. Each video is accompanied by an Educators’ Guide that supports further investigation of the STEM career featured, as well as a look at related career opportunities.
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Dr. Linda Spurlock
Director of Human Health, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Dr. Spurlock explains her multi-faceted career as an anatomist, forensic reconstruction artist, and scientific illustrator. She also shows examples of her work and demonstrates how her science-based education and her artistic abilities help reconstruct the past in order to educate the general public and even solve crimes for the police department. A very talented and interesting individual!
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Dr. Mike Selig
Veterinarian, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Dr. Selig talks about his job as a zoo veterinarian, his responsibilities and duties, as well as the training and formal education he received at the Ohio State University. We will follow the doctor throughout a typical day as he works with both keepers and veterinary assistants to treat the hundreds of species in his care. Two of the highlights of his round will be a routine checkup of a sloth and a physical examination of an elephant. Wait a minute... science, technology, engineering and math... at the zoo? You bet!
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Becky Ramsay
Chemical Engineer, Parker Hannifin Corp
Becky Ramsay explains how math and science are used to help her team design, test, and, at times, destroy some of the toughest hydraulic hoses in the world. Two of the highlights are the invention of new polymer materials by the division’s chemist and the curing and testing of these polymer mixtures to measure their strength and versatility. Becky will also talk about her education at Case Western Reserve University and has some words of encouragement to students to study as much mathematics and science as possible to broaden interests and keep school and career options open.
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