The Future of STEM

Host of NOVA ScienceNow David Pogue spoke about the importance of STEM subjects at the University of Oklahoma this past Thursday.  

     STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, are subjects which the United States is losing ground in. This is not only an internal problem. Do to the lack of students majoring in these degrees, we are essentially giving our jobs away to foreign competitors.  

      “STEM talent equals success,” Pogue said. “In this country if we care about our economic power, our spiritual power, our leadership in the world, STEM is it, man. If you look at the biggest companies in the world, most of them are science technology and engineering companies.”

     As a country that was built upon the success of science and engineering inventions, something in our education system needs to change when, according to Pogue, our children now fall in the rankings to number 25 on a list comparing standardized math scores around the world. 

Pogue believes there are many factors contributing to the youth’s aversion to STEM subjects, such as the difficult “weed out” process that occurs at the very beginning of these classes, cultural biases and, as Pogue simply put it, “People are inherently frightened of what they don’t understand.”

     "This is exactly what my experience was like," said Joe Nigh, a junior at the University of Oklahoma who attended Pogue’s lecture. "I had been planning on majoring in biology and becoming a doctor my entire life, but after my first few classes here at OU, I already felt the pressure to either make an A or be "weeded-out."

     This is why Pogue hopes that shows like the one he hosts for PBS will help de-mystify science and encourage students to once again start pursuing these subjects.

According to an article by the Deseret Morning News, “Part of the solution involves changing the classroom experience, including hands-on projects and trial-and-error processes to effectively bridge theory and practice and bring STEM subjects alive.”

PHOTO: Meghan Whiting

David Pogue adresses audience at Meacham Auditorium Thursday afternoon