The Need for STEM Education in American Classrooms

Ryan Davis
95-1200 Meheula Pkwy, Mililani, HI 96789

Expository Writing 2, Period 5

Mrs. Yuasa

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11-19-14The Need for STEM Education in American Classrooms
Introduction
Louis Pasteur once said, Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to
humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world. Science is the highest personification of
the nation because that nation will remain the first which carries the furthest the works of thought
and intelligence. America has been one of the worlds leading nations for over a century but our
country must make changes to continue this standard. In 2013, only 44% of U.S. high school
graduates were ready for college-level math courses and only 36% were ready for college-level
science courses. (National Math and Science Initiative) These numbers are unacceptable. To
ensure a prosperous future for the nation and its people, America needs to provide a better
education in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Background
These subjects, commonly referred to as STEM, are nothing new. Everything around us
has always involved science, technology, engineering, and math. The world around us embodies
science, from stars and galaxies to the very elements that make up everything we see.
Technology doesnt just refer to computers and smartphones, but also things like the radio, the
compass, roads, and even the first wheel. Engineers are responsible for designing the roads we
use everyday and the buildings we live in, learn in, and work in. We use math at the grocery
store, the bank, and in every other STEM field. Our entire lives are pervaded by STEM. (Why
STEM Education Is Important For Everyone)
Relevance
One common misconception about science and mathematics is that most students will
never use what they learn after college. All those complex formulas and confusing ideas that we

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learned in high school and college will never be useful when real life starts, right? Think again.
While many of the things taught in high-level classes wont explicitly be used, this type of
education is important for everything else. In reality, the decline in math, science, and technology
affects everyone and, as students are becoming less interested in STEM subjects, various
programs have been established to help promote these important curriculums. Programs such as
the National Math and Science Initiative and the STEM Education Coalition have sought to raise
interest by informing students about STEM, pushing for legislation to improve education, and
providing benefits for students who excel in science or math.
Necessity
STEM careers are some of the most important jobs in the nation. In the modern world,
engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and others are responsible for progression. They are the
reasons we grow, the avenues through which our country sees improvement. Our world still has
problems that need solving. There are questions that we havent discovered the answers to, such
as . As the world continues its expeditious growth in technological prowess, America needs
experts at the forefront of innovation. These professionals are responsible for solving todays
problems, along with future issues. They work to solve cancer, global warming, world hunger,
and much more. (Why STEM Education Is Important For Everyone) Engineers and scientists
find ways to increase the worlds potable water supply. They create technology to help everyone.
Increasing Competition
The United States needs to increase its technological growth. In the past, America has had
little competition from developed countries. We were the best in science, technology,
engineering, and math. We were also one of the most advanced countries in the world. (Beard)
This is quickly becoming farther and farther from the truth, however. Our students arent

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interested in science or math. According to the Wall Street Journal, the majority of graduate
students studying science and technology at American universities are not Americans, but
Chinese and South Koreans. (Beard) Countries like China and South Korea are continuing to
develop, industrialize, and modernize. If America wants to stay competitive at the forefront of
science and technology, we need to start teaching all of our youth about these vital subjects when
theyre young. How can we expect to compete with the world when 26 nations have high school
students performing better than us in math and 19 nations performing better in science? The
world is constantly improving and America needs to improve with it.
Good Career Options
In line with their importance to their nation, STEM careers are some of the best careers in
the nation. Engineers receive some of the highest wages in the work force. For example, the
average entry-level salary of a chemical engineer is $66,000 annually. (Michigan Technological
University) Engineers and scientists also have a variety of fields and workplaces to choose.
There are chemical, mechanical, civil, electrical, nuclear, computer, aerospace, software, and
military engineers. Many companies have need of engineers, meaning you can find jobs in
industries ranging from the car industry to childrens toys, NASA or the military. As our world
continues to press forward in science and technology, the demand for engineers and scientists
can only grow. Say what you want about STEM subjects in school, but you cant say that they
dont provide access to good career options. Youth who do well in STEM will have better
options for their life after school.
Plan of Action
To help Americas youth understand more about the opportunities they have in STEM
careers, I am going to present information on engineering to a science class at Mililani High

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School. To prepare for this, I plan on researching chemical engineering in-depth, interviewing
several working engineers, and even working on problems that engineers might need to solve in
the work field. My goal is to get more students excited in engineering and to consider it an
option for their college major and future career.
In order to collect data, I will be administering a survey to the class afterwards. This
survey will be to gauge how much they learned from my presentation as well as their interest in
becoming a chemical engineer after hearing what from me. I will consider this a success if
everyone in the class learns something new and around twenty or twenty-five percent of the
students state that they would consider engineering as a future career.
Conclusion
It is important that our country works to improve its STEM education. If we continue to
let 68% of our children remain confused in science and math classes. If we continue to let our
children come to hate these courses. If we continue to rely on the success of previous
generations, America is going to be in for a massive wake-up call. The future is everyones
responsibility and the biggest impact we can have is on the youth. How are you going to have a
positive impact?

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Annotated Bibliography
"2014 Engineering Salary Statistics." College of Engineering. Michigan Technological
University, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
This source was very specific. It gave me data on the average salary of various engineers
to use as evidence.
Beard, Katherine. "Behind America's Decline in Math, Science and Technology." US News.
U.S.News & World Report, 13 Nov. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
This source from U.S. news was very applicable to my topic. It provided me with quotes,
studies, and statistics to support my own argument.
Cox, Savannah. "Seven Bizarre And Beautiful Natural Phenomena." All That Is Interesting. The
PBH Network, 11 Aug. 2011. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
This article provided me with a picture of natural phenomena. I used this picture to help
visualize my argument in the background.
Hamen, Susan E. Engineering. Edina, MN: ABDO Pub., 2011. Print.
This book was very detailed it talked about aspects of engineering from education
requirements to future job opportunities and what engineers actually do. I used the book
as a reference to formulate my argument.
"HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY." HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY. History World, n.d. Web. 18
Nov. 2014.
This article gave examples of the various technological breakthroughs throughout history.
I used it to help me identify evidence for my arguments.

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STEM Education Coalition. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.
This source provides information on the need of STEM and the function of a program
advocating the need for this type of education. I used it as a current program, as well as
for evidence of the need for improved STEM education.
"STEM Education Statistics." STEM Education Statistics. National Math and Science Initiative,
n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
This source provides statistics on the state of Americas education ability in STEM
subjects. It gave me data to support my claims.
"Types of Engineering Jobs - Engineer Information - Science & Technology Education." Science
Kids. N.p., 24 July 2014. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
This source provides detailed information on the various types of engineering careers. I
used it to gain background knowledge on engineering in general.
Xie, Yu, and Alexander A. Killewald. "Issues in Science and Technology." Issues in Science and
Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
This source provided another viewpoint on the issue of Americas decline in STEM. The
article provided me with background information on the debate and a better
understanding of the conditions in America.

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Works Cited
Beard, Katherine. "Behind America's Decline in Math, Science and Technology." US News.
U.S.News & World Report, 13 Nov. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
STEM Education Coalition. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.
"STEM Education Statistics." STEM Education Statistics. National Math and Science Initiative,
n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
Cox, Savannah. "Seven Bizarre And Beautiful Natural Phenomena." All That Is Interesting. The
PBH Network, 11 Aug. 2011. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
"2014 Engineering Salary Statistics." College of Engineering. Michigan Technological
University, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.