Science, technology, engineering and mathematics
STEM is a term that refers to the academic disciplines of science,[note 1] technology, engineering and mathematics.[1] The term is typically used when addressing education policy and curriculum choices in schools to improve competitiveness in science and technology development.
The acronym arose in common use shortly after an interagency meeting on science education held at the US National Science Foundation chaired by the then NSF director Rita Colwell.[2] A director from the Office of Science division of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists, Peter Faletra, suggested the change from the older acronym METS to STEM. Colwell, expressing some dislike for the older acronym, responded by suggesting NSF to institute the change.
Increase gender balance in STEM
Current campaigns to increase the gender balance within STEM fields include the UK’s WISE[46] as well as mentoring programs, such as the Million Women Mentors initiative connecting girls and young women with STEM mentors[47] and Verizon’s #InspireHerMind project
Other variations
- STM (scientific, technical, and mathematics;[4] or science, technology, and medicine; or scientific, technical, and medical)
- eSTEM (environmental STEM) [5][6]
- GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science); used for programs to encourage females into these science fields.[9][10]
- BEMS (Boys in Engineering, Math, and Science); used for programs to encourage males into these science fields.[citation needed]
- STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine)
- AMSEE (Applied math, science, engineering, and entrepreneurship)
Top 4 things that are cool about STEM for me:
- I like making things (Engineering)
- I like clever gadgets (Technology)
- Mathematics is great when you want to run a P&L in black
- I work in medical devices (Science)
Here is my podcast with Gary Bridgeman on the topic of STEM from 9th May 2017.
