STEM Initiative at Joe Wright
What is STEM Education?
K-12 STEM education encompasses the processes of critical thinking, analysis, and collaboration in which students integrate the processes and concepts of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in real world contexts, fostering the development of STEM skills and competencies for college, career, and life.
Why focus on STEM at Joe Wright?
The administration of Joe Wright began the STEM initiative three years ago after reflecting on the current research about how best to prepare students for the ever-changing world in which they live. STEM is their future—the technological age in which they live, their best career options, and their key to wise decisions. In 2009, the United States Department of Labor listed the ten most wanted employees. Eight of those employees were ones with degrees in the STEM fields: accounting, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, information sciences and systems, computer engineering, civil engineering, and economics and finance. According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while others are growing at 9.8%. It is critically important to build the skills needed for our students to be successful in the future at an early age, and give them engaging experiences that will give them a positive attitude toward the STEM disciplines.