Features written by STEPHANIE L. GRAHAM AND KOREN WETMORE


aproaches To STEM Education


Introduction by DERRICK CHAU ’97 Principal, Marc and Eve Stern Math and Science School


Through my experiences as a science teacher and a principal for a STEM-focused high school, I have become convinced that stu- dents always retain an innate interest in the STEM fields. When I look into the eyes of my son, I see a natural curiosity for un- derstanding how nature works. Then I ask myself, “When and why do students lose that curiosity?” This issue’s theme of “Fresh Approaches to STEM Edu-


cation” directly addresses the need for educators to develop innovative methods to teach STEM courses. As Atkinson and Mayo articulated in “Refueling the U.S. Innovation Economy: Fresh Approaches to Science, Technology, Engi- neering and Mathematics (STEM) Education,” the insepa- rable connection between the U.S. education system and the health of our nation’s economy necessitates a reform


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of the current STEM education system. In its attempts to more accurately measure student learning, the current STEM edu- cation system has atomized learning into disparate content standards rather than requiring students to demonstrate skills. Nothing can be more damaging to stu- dent curiosity than making students learn a concept without context.


Innovative


approaches to STEM education cultivate students’ abilities to analyze, synthesize and create new knowledge and skills. HMC has constantly been on the forefront of STEM innovations from the


development of the Clinic Program to the more recent experiential learning labs. President Klawe continues to highlight the role that HMC can play in improving STEM education by modeling how a small liberal arts college can innovate quickly, engage industry and provide undergrad- uate research experiences. I believe that HMC alumni, as beneficiaries of a high quality STEM education, will always have a responsibility to be ambassadors of STEM education for our nation.


14 Har vey Mudd College SPRING 2011


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