Teaching STEM Courses in the US (Essay Sample)

Teaching STEM Courses in the US Name: Institution: Teaching STEM Courses in the US Introduction Mathematics and science courses are viewed as the core drivers of development, in the modern world. Mathematics and science can instigate innovation and invention of new technologies in humans. The industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th century relied on new inventions from scientists to develop new machinery and technologies that spurred economic development. The industrialized countries such as the US, UK, Japan, China, and Germany, among others emphasize on science and mathematics courses to drive industrialization in their economies. Avery and Reeve (2013) state that the US has to emphasize more on science and mathematics courses to make the US remain at the helm of innovation and invention globally. Synopsis Avery and Reeve (2013) depict that in maintaining the competitiveness of the US in areas of innovation and invention globally, they must prioritize on teaching STEM courses. This involves incorporating engineering design courses in the school curriculum. The students will learn how to develop engineering designs, which will provide solutions to various problems facing the world. The students should be able to combine mathematics, science, and real life problems to come up with appropriate solutions (Avery & Reeve, 2013). Avery and Reeve (2013), state that professional development (PD) of science teachers will be helpful in teaching the STEM courses. PD will enhance recognition and in-depth understanding of the engineering designs in the schools. In the research results, the science teachers that went through the PD course and incorporated the skills learned in the students coursework. The teachers said the skills were helpful in teaching engineering designs to the students (Avery & Reeve, 2013). The PD course helped teachers to have a different perspective when teaching science courses and engage students in practicable activities, which relate to real life problems. Point of View The emphasis of science and mathematics courses and improved teaching techniques through PD is the appropriate course of action in driving innovation and invention, in the US (Avery & Reeve, 2013). The US has been a global leader in innovation and invention, but it is facing strong challenge from developing countries such as China. There is a need to emphasize on implementing the said PD course, which will make science and mathematics courses critical in the economic development of the US economy. When PD is integrated at lower grades in the school curriculum, it will help in flourishing hidden engineering gifts from students at a young age. The students will appreciate science and mathematics courses through providing solutions to the existing problems in the society. When the US adopts this strategy, it will intensify competition in innovation and invention from developed and developing countries. Impacts on Classroom Pedagogy The PD course encourages teachers to use the discussion method when teaching mathematics and science courses (Avery & Reeve, 2013). The discussion method...