Brix's blog

STEM fields offer students more than just a close look at how the world works. Even though changes in STEM education are altering the way students engage with and react to those fields of study, the process is slow. However, the more students learn practical, hands-on uses for the information they’re learning, the more they will warm to the subject matter. Something else to interest and even excite students? Careers in STEM fields are challenging, fun, and exciting. Some students may lack interest in STEM studies, and this may mean they will overlook careers in STEM fields. But what are the advantages of STEM careers for current students?

GETTING AN EARLY START

Today’s students often go through their entire secondary education without being able to pinpoint exactly what they want to do with their lives. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but think about how having a firm plan earlier on can help students better prepare for their future. By keeping students informed about possible careers in STEM, teachers can help them better understand what they might do after they earn their high school diploma.

ADVANTAGES OF STEM CAREERS

Most students may not even realize the advantages that come with working in the STEM fields. Aside from a plethora of job opportunities and choices, those working in STEM have a lot to be happy about. There is a ton of room for advancement, which means an ever changing environment. STEM careers usually allow you to set clear goals and accomplishments, yielding a reward more fulfilling than just high paychecks. Speaking of high paychecks, STEM jobs, on average, pay out about 70% more than the national average.

LET’S LOOK AT STATISTICS

When we break it down, statistically, careers in the STEM fields are really promising right now. We’re constantly creating new technologies and learning how to use what we already have in new ways. So, let’s look at some statistics:

The unemployment rate of STEM workers—5.3%— is close to half of non-STEM workers—10%1.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, STEM jobs are expected to grow almost twice as much as other jobs: 21.4%! In addition, 80% of jobs will require technical skills within the next decade.2

This infographicdoes a good job at explaining the STEM Dilemma. We can see how so many students are opting out of STEM careers, but do they realize the benefits of them?

If you are interested in learning more about STEM careers or would like to read about STEM education, check out our free download titled Intro to STEM for Educators.

References
1. https://changetheequation.org/stemtistic-engine-opportunity
2. https://lessoncast.org/2011/12/17/why-stem-education-matters-resources-and-statistics/

STEM Education is important because it pervades every part of our lives. Science is everywhere in the world around us. Technology is continuously expanding into every aspect of our lives. Engineering is the basic designs of roads and bridges but also tackles the challenges of changing global weather and environmentally-friendly changes to our home. Mathematics is in every occupation, every activity we do in our lives. By exposing students to STEM and giving them opportunities to explore STEM-related concepts, they will develop a passion for it.

According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while other occupations are growing at 9.8%. STEM degree holders have a higher income even in non-STEM careers. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics workers play a key role in the sustained growth and stability of the U.S. economy, and are a critical component to helping the U.S. win the future. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators. Innovation leads to new products and processes that sustain our economy. This innovation and science literacy depends on a solid knowledge base in the STEM areas. It is clear that most jobs of the future will require a basic understanding of math and science. Despite these compelling facts, mathematics and science scores on average among U.S. students are lagging behind other developing countries.

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The STEM strand aims to inculcate in students various theories and concepts in Science and Mathematics. The Saint Columban College STEM curriculum integrates the proper utilization of technology in specific subject areas to make learning engaging and interesting.

Specialization subjects for STEM strand include Pre-Calculus, Basic Calculus, General Chemistry 1 and 2, General Physics 1 and 2, and General Biology 1 and 2, Work Immersion/Research/Career Advocacy/Culminating Activity. The focus of the curriculum is to provide practical learning experiences in order for students to understand the concepts better through application, controlled experiments, research and practice.

The STEM strand will equip the students with knowledge and skills necessary in the pursuit of degree programs in engineering, architecture, medical/ health sciences, and computer studies.

STEM is an educational program developed to prepare primary and secondary students for college and graduate study in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In addition to subject-specific learning, STEM aims to foster inquiring minds, logical reasoning, and collaboration skills. 

In the United States, the program helps immigrants with skills in the STEM subjects obtain work visas. In addition, STEM focuses on perceived education quality shortcomings in these fields, with the aim of increasing the supply of qualified high-tech workers.

Educators break STEM down into seven standards of practice (or skill sets) for educating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students:

• Learn and apply content
• Integrate content
• Interpret and communicate information
• Engage in inquiry
• Engage in logical reasoning
• Collaborate as a team
• Apply technology appropriately

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The Saint Columban College, Senior High School is comprised of two years of specialized upper secondary education where a student may choose a specialization based on his/her aptitude, interests, and capacity.  The student’s choice of career track defines the content of the subjects to be taken up for the duration of two years. There are core, contextualized, and specialized subjects to be taken up depending on the chosen track of the students.

Track and Strand Offerings

Tracks	Strands
ACADEMIC	STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ABM – Accounting, Business Management GAS – General Academic Strand
ARTS AND DESIGN	Performing Arts in Music (voice, piano and pipe organ, guitar, percussions, strings and wind) Visual Arts
SPORTS	Coaching and Fitness Leadership
TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL	ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Animation and Computer Programming Home Economics (Baking, Pastry Production, Commercial Cooking and Events Management)VV

There are 14 core subjects to be taken up by all students regardless of which track and strand they are enrolled in.

Core Learning Areas	Subjects
To be taken up by all students
Language	Oral Communication Reading and Writing Komunikasyon at Pananaliksik sa Wikang Filipino at Kulturang Pilipino Pagbasa at Pagsusuri ng Iba’t Ibang Teksto Tungo sa Pananaliksik
Humanities	21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World The Contemporary Arts from the Regions
Communication	Media and Information Literacy
Mathematics	General Mathematics Statistics and Probability
Science	Earth and Life Science (Lecture and Laboratory) Physical Science (Lecture and Laboratory)
Social Science	Personal Development Understanding Society and Culture
Philosophy	Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person
P.E. and Health	Physical Education and Health

Depending on the track and strand, students will also take up the contextualized subjects. These are subjects customized for the specific strand taken by students. 

English for Academic and Professional Purposes

Research 1: Qualitative Research in Daily Life

Research 2: Quantitative Research in Daily Life

Pagsulat sa Filipino sa Piling Larangan (Academic, Sports, Arts & Design, Tech-Voc)

Empowerment Technologies (E-Tech): ICT for Professional Tracks

Entrepreneurship

Research Project / Culminating Activity

 For the specialized or major subjects, the following are subjects to be completed by the students according to the track and strand of choice.

STAND	SPECIALIZED SUBJECTS
ACADEMIC TRACK
ABM	Applied Economics Business Ethics and Social Responsibility Fundamentals of ABM I Fundamentals of ABM II Business Math Business Finance Organization and Management Principles of  Marketing Business Simulation/Immersion Project
STEM	Pre-calculus Basic Calculus General Biology I General Biology II General Physics I General Physics II General Chemistry I General Chemistry II Research/Capstone Project
GAS	Creative Writing Introduction to World Religions Organization and Management Applied Economics Disaster Readiness and  Risk Reduction Philippine Politics and Governance Trends, Networks and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century Disciplines and Ideas in the applied Social Sciences Culminating Project/Research
ARTS AND DESIGN TRACK
VISUAL ARTS	Basic Drawing and Graphics design Applied Arts and Design I Applied Arts and Design II Integrating Elements and Principles of the Different Arts Personal and Physical Development in the Arts Developing Filipino in the Arts Drafting Apprenticeship and Exploration in Arts Production Leadership and Management in different Arts fields Exhibit for Arts production
PERFORMING ARTS IN MUSIC	PianoVoiceStringThere is a special two year program prepared by the School of Music for these students to qualify for the College degree in Music
TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL TRACK
HOME ECONOMICS	Commercial Cooking I Commercial Cooking II Baking I Baking II Food and Beverage Services I Food and Beverage Services II Events Management I Events Management II Work Immersion
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY	Basic Drawing Graphics Designing Animation I Animation II Programming I Programming II Work Immersion Exhibit of Capstone project
SPORTS TRACK
COACHING AND FITNESS LEADERSHIP	Safety and First Aid Human Movement Fundamentals of Coaching Sports Officiating and Sports Management Psychosocial Aspects of Sports and Exercise Fitness, Sports and Recreational Leadership Fitness Testing and Basic Exercise Programming Practicum I (in campus) Practicum II (off campus)

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton