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Dr. Rebecca Krall talks with students about the impact of water quality on ecosystems.
STEM Education Department works to provide
research and training with schools across state
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STORY AND PHOTOS BY AMANDA NELSON
obs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, collectively
known as STEM, are a safe bet when choosing a career in today’s
economy. They are growing faster than the average for all occupations.
One of the biggest barriers to filling these spots?
The number of students who become turned off by
the subjects between kindergarten and high school.
The UK College of Education is heavily invested
in changing this trend. The STEM Education
Department in the college works to not only produce
great teachers, but also provide research and training
with schools across the state.
“American students are bored by mathematics,
science and engineering. They buy smartphones
and tablets by the millions but don’t pursue the skills
necessary to build them. Engineers and physicists
are often portrayed as clueless geeks on television,
and despite the high pay and the importance of such
jobs to the country’s future, the vast majority of high
school graduates don’t want to go after them.”
Recently, The New York Times editorial board
summed up the lack of attraction to the field.
Here, you will read a sampling of stories from
faculty members who are reinvigorating the
profession.
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