Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For some reason it really grates on me. What's wrong with "math and science" or some non-acronym variant?

Because engineering and technology are really applied sciences. When you say science, it's biology, chemistry, physics, etc. Those fields don't teach problem solving in the way engineering does.

+1

(And computer programming <> computer science)

Anonymous wrote:I'm an engineer, and I hate the buzzword. I also hate the belief that you can "inspire a passion" for "STEM" by having kids build with LEGOs, or some other such nonsense.

+1

Same here. Any engineer I know did not have it forced down their throat.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an engineer, and I hate the buzzword. I also hate the belief that you can "inspire a passion" for "STEM" by having kids build with LEGOs, or some other such nonsense.

Typical engineer.

I can promise you that I'm far from your typical engineer.

if you don't see how Legos teach engineering fundamentals then you are a very bad engineer.

Anonymous wrote:For some reason it really grates on me. What's wrong with "math and science" or some non-acronym variant?

Because engineering and technology are really applied sciences. When you say science, it's biology, chemistry, physics, etc. Those fields don't teach problem solving in the way engineering does.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an engineer, and I hate the buzzword. I also hate the belief that you can "inspire a passion" for "STEM" by having kids build with LEGOs, or some other such nonsense.

Typical engineer.

I can promise you that I'm far from your typical engineer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an engineer, and I hate the buzzword. I also hate the belief that you can "inspire a passion" for "STEM" by having kids build with LEGOs, or some other such nonsense.

Typical engineer.

Oh are you going to scream "nerd" next?! You are an ass with the "typical engineer" crap! I agree with the engineer, you cannot "inspire a passion" for engineering with Legos. I think you either have it or you don't.

8:35 here -- if I scream "nerd" next I would be screaming it at myself. #engineer

Yes, you can "inspire a passion" through hands on activities, including with LEGOs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it became a buzzword when liberal arts majors, myself included, realized there are no jobs for us and the good jobs go to STEM fields. I've already told my kids they cannot major in a humanities. Take classes for fun if they want but career focus should be on stem or business.

What a sad, sad state of affairs. This certainly demonstrates a complete failure to appreciate the genesis of STEM and pretty much guarantees that humanity is looking forward to a very shallow existence. It also completely fails to appreciate the fact that when asked, senior executives prefer liberal arts over business majors. The former can think and communicate clearly. The latter, not so much.

Also nice to know that there are parents who mandate their children's futures. That's pretty sad too.

Way to stereotype. I was in English Minor with a STEM major.

Both my sons have been advanced in both science/math and English/Humanities/History.

In fact the oldest, who is a complete whiz in Math (tests off the charts) wants to major in Liberal Arts. Teachers have told me it's amazing he has strengths and aptitude for both. He's a very social kid.

Anonymous wrote:I only wish there was a Humanities magnet high school in the area, so that TJ wasn't the only game in town for kids with exceptional ability. Some kids are geared toward literature, writing, history, and the social sciences and there should be a school where they are made to feel like "rock stars" too. The Maggie Walker Governor's School in Richmond is one example. Those kids are incredible.

We have a friend who teaches there, and I'm jealous.

It grates on me too!!!

I am a female. Biology/microbiology in the late 80s/early 90s. Graduate degree in Molecular Biology/Immunology.

I have elementary school boys and when the first hit K 5 years ago and heard the term, I had zero idea what it meant.

Now they stick a STEM label and people salivate. Blah.

Who knew I now work in a STEM field

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an engineer, and I hate the buzzword. I also hate the belief that you can "inspire a passion" for "STEM" by having kids build with LEGOs, or some other such nonsense.

Typical engineer.

Oh are you going to scream "nerd" next?! You are an ass with the "typical engineer" crap! I agree with the engineer, you cannot "inspire a passion" for engineering with Legos. I think you either have it or you don't.

How do you know you have it if you never are given a lego, or a robot, or a computer?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an engineer, and I hate the buzzword. I also hate the belief that you can "inspire a passion" for "STEM" by having kids build with LEGOs, or some other such nonsense.

Typical engineer.

Oh are you going to scream "nerd" next?! You are an ass with the "typical engineer" crap! I agree with the engineer, you cannot "inspire a passion" for engineering with Legos. I think you either have it or you don't.

I hate trends in education. We need to go back to having a well rounded education! The fine arts are just as critical to development. It is shameful that so many school districts do not offer art once a week for elementary school kids. All of these early skills lead to great mathematicians and engineers too. I have an undergrad degree in Fine Arts and a graduate degree in computer science. I love both!

Anonymous wrote:I'm an engineer, and I hate the buzzword. I also hate the belief that you can "inspire a passion" for "STEM" by having kids build with LEGOs, or some other such nonsense.

Typical engineer.

Anonymous wrote:I only wish there was a Humanities magnet high school in the area, so that TJ wasn't the only game in town for kids with exceptional ability. Some kids are geared toward literature, writing, history, and the social sciences and there should be a school where they are made to feel like "rock stars" too. The Maggie Walker Governor's School in Richmond is one example. Those kids are incredible.

YES! I have been wanting this for 20 years- arts, theatre, etc. are not lacking at some of the high schools including TJ, but are not put on a pedestal like STEM

Anonymous wrote:I think it became a buzzword when liberal arts majors, myself included, realized there are no jobs for us and the good jobs go to STEM fields. I've already told my kids they cannot major in a humanities. Take classes for fun if they want but career focus should be on stem or business.

What a sad, sad state of affairs. This certainly demonstrates a complete failure to appreciate the genesis of STEM and pretty much guarantees that humanity is looking forward to a very shallow existence. It also completely fails to appreciate the fact that when asked, senior executives prefer liberal arts over business majors. The former can think and communicate clearly. The latter, not so much.

Also nice to know that there are parents who mandate their children's futures. That's pretty sad too.