Why is STEM Important in Modern Education?

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, most commonly referred to as STEM, is perhaps one of the most dominant and popular fields in every level of education. As society progresses, there is no doubt STEM will continue to expand fields and opportunities. As a result of this, STEM is one of the core aspects of the curriculum of schools worldwide, making it engraved in modern education. 

STEM’s Increasing Popularity

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the number of STEM degrees conferred in the United States has steadily increased over the past decade. In the 2011-12 academic year, approximately 556,696 STEM degrees were awarded, while by 2020-21, this number had risen to 832,300, showing a drastic 49.51% growth!

Based on these statistics, we can assume with a degree of confidence that STEM’s popularity will continue to increase over the next decade. 

Why Are Students Choosing STEM?

Seeing so many graduates each year can prompt one to question why more and more students take up STEM degrees. The answer is more straight forward than you may think!

High Job Demand and Career Stability

As we’ve briefly glossed over earlier, STEM is the driver of society’s progress. Being this driver comes with the high demand of workers and will only increase as we continue to progress. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that STEM occupations will grow by 10.4% between 2023 and 2033, significantly surpassing the 4.0% growth rate for all occupations. 

Here are a few STEM fields with high job demand and stability:

• Data Scientists
• Nurse Practitioners
• Software Developers
• Renewable Energy Technicians

These jobs are considered high demand because they align with our societal needs. The unavoidable increase in the aging population and illnesses always warrants the need for more nurses in healthcare fields. The same goes with renewable energy technicians, as more and more countries require sustainable solutions, people in this field need to expand on their workforce. 

Will AI Replace Jobs?

The hard answer is yes. You may think what’s the point of pursuing a career nowadays when AI domination is inevitable. However, it’s important to realize that with the automation of current jobs comes the emergence of new fields, fields that we can’t even comprehend as of now! For example, a relatively new field that has opened is “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specialists.” With more and more jobs being created, STEM students will continue to enroll to keep up with the changing workforce trends. 

High-paying Jobs

One of the most significant benefits of graduating from a STEM program is the potential for high salaries. According to Research.com, the median annual wage for STEM occupations in 2020 was $98,340, which is significantly higher than the median wage for other occupations. High-demand roles such as computer and information systems managers earned an average of $161,700 per year. This comes to no surprise, of course, our society is reliant on the many modern technologies that govern our modern communities. It’s natural that the stewards of technology are regarded with much better wages, and this is also true with other parts of our society that are related to STEM such as medicine and healthcare. 

To Help Save The World

Besides stability in careers or lucrative salaries, many students are inspired to take up STEM in order to help solve the world’s problems. Many problems that we face today are related to the healthcare and environmental crises. STEM education prepares these students and allow them to research and dive into the complexity of these problems in order to influence policy or the population to work towards solving it. 

The Economic Impact of STEM Education

You may be inclined to think that the drivers of the economy are fields of business and marketing. However, the backbone of those fields is undoubtedly STEM. STEM education influences many sectors that govern our society, from job creation all the way to a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth. 

Workforce Development

Job creation, as we discussed earlier, is an inevitability. As new technology and innovations emerge, so do new jobs that cater to those new technologies. For instance, the rise of social media has not only created jobs in social media management and digital marketing but has also paved the way for new career paths in content creation. This is also true for emerging industries such as AI. As industries grow, businesses invest more in innovation, thus driving the economy further. 

Global Competitiveness

What do all leading countries have in common? They put high emphasis on STEM. Scientific research leads to numerous technological advancements that contribute to the GDP of a country. For instance, advancements in medication and healthcare lead to life-saving drugs and medical treatments, while AI reduces costs and increases output. By prioritizing STEM related fields, countries see long-term economic growth and global competitiveness. 

Here are a few countries that pour their resources into Research and Development:

• Japan  
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• China
• United States

STEM Education Leads To Lifelong Skills

Beyond everything that we’ve explored so far, another main reason why STEM is so important in our modern education is that it gives students the necessary skills to navigate the modern world. Even if they don’t pursue STEM careers or higher education, integrating STEM in early education is important in developing students who grow into contributing and responsible members of society. 

Here are a few skills a child can pick up through STEM education:

• Critical Thinking
  Science is all about critical thinking.  STEM encourages the simple habit of questioning. This mindset helps people avoid misinformation online and make better and informed decisions. 

• Technological Fluency
  In today’s digital age, understanding how technology and data work is crucial. Almost all jobs, even those unrelated to STEM, require some degree of technological literacy. Those unable to keep up with such skills are bound to be left behind. 

• Problem-Solving
  With a scientific mindset, the approach to problem-solving changes. Students will become more analytical and strategic in their attempts at solving problems big and small.

• Creativity and Innovation
  STEM education encourages students to think outside the box. If something doesn’t quite work the way you intended, STEM teaches us to view it from a different angle or try a different approach. This allows students to be risk takers, unafraid to try and learn new things. 

Need Help? Cardinal Education Can Lend a Hand!

Now that you know the importance of STEM education, the next thing on your mind would be to enroll in a school specializing in STEM. However, the top STEM schools are notoriously competitive and selective of prospective students. 

The independent admissions consultants at Cardinal Education can offer expert guidance on private school and college admissions to the best schools with the best STEM programs! With academic coaching and test prep, we ensure students present themselves as top candidates.

Contact us today and let our experts guide you!

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