STEM - Big deal or just a fad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm generally pro-STEM with my kids, and I was a math/science kid growing up. But some of the STEM supporters on this thread seem like real jerks.

I don't understand. Sure, some people were laughing at the idea that STEM education is just a fad, as if technology is going to be replaced by something else in another decade.

But the truly offensive posts are the ones trying to develop a sociology of magnet kids that involves poor immigrants who, once they sell their first tech startup, will happily abandon STEM education for the holy grail of private school. And the silliness of the post about how rich people all want to send their kids to Ivies, and somehow this is valudated by the fact that Gates and Zuckerberg coming from well-to-do families and went to privates, or something. I say this as a parent of private school, public magnet, and Ivy kids (which I mention only to establish street cred): you guys really don't understand which kids do STEM and why, so you're going with patronizing stereotypes instead.

+1

[Anonymous]

The first generation makes the money. The second generation maintains the money. The third generation blows the money. So, yes, it's likely the children of the money making immigrants will want to have what the elite have and send their children to elite private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The first generation makes the money. The second generation maintains the money. The third generation blows the money. So, yes, it's likely the children of the money making immigrants will want to have what the elite have and send their children to elite private schools.

You're wrong. The immigrants in the magnets come from cultures that value a
STEM over most liberal arts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The first generation makes the money. The second generation maintains the money. The third generation blows the money. So, yes, it's likely the children of the money making immigrants will want to have what the elite have and send their children to elite private schools.

What a fluffy cloud you must live on, to keep telling yourself that everyone else aspires to our private schools! I'm kinda embarrassed for you.

[Anonymous]

Tom Keene posted a good article today that sort of illustrates that STEM has always been important, and that certain liberal arts courses, like language and philosophy classes, will also always be important (i.e. you need some balance). He calls today's overt interest in STEM an "oh-so-in rage".

http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130806140535-205519992-the-shortest-path-to-critical-thinking-skills

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been hearing and reading a lot about STEM and a STEM education. For those not in the know, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. To me it seems like they are just repackaging what students should be learning.

I'd love to hear what others think and if they do or plan to send their kids to a school that promotes itself as a STEM school.

Oh, and if not STEM, what program(s) drew you to your current school?

Fad fad fad. Dd school makes a big deal out of engineering class in fifth grade but it is the same plans every year and the teacher sits on her behind insulting kids instead of actually teaching. Both of my daughters had her and the class was exactly the same. No innovation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been hearing and reading a lot about STEM and a STEM education. For those not in the know, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. To me it seems like they are just repackaging what students should be learning.

I'd love to hear what others think and if they do or plan to send their kids to a school that promotes itself as a STEM school.

Oh, and if not STEM, what program(s) drew you to your current school?

Fad fad fad. Dd school makes a big deal out of engineering class in fifth grade but it is the same plans every year and the teacher sits on her behind insulting kids instead of actually teaching. Both of my daughters had her and the class was exactly the same. No innovation.

What is engineering class? Does it teach physics and calculus?