Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds answer questions regarding the governor's STEM project on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Photo by Cainon Leeds
By Cainon Leeds
Editor-in-Chief
Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds visited DMACC on Wednesday, Sept. 12, to talk to local educators about STEM. According to the STEM website, iowastem.gov, STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and it is an initiative to raise awareness about these areas. Reynolds and University of Northern Iowa’s President Benjamin Allen co-chair the STEM Council, which consists of up to 40 members from across Iowa.
According to a study conducted by Harvard University in July of this year, Iowa has shown the slowest rate of improvement in math, science and reading compared to the 40 other states involved in the study over the past 19 years.
The governor created STEM by executive order in July of 2011 to encourage students, parents and educators to take interest in science, technology, engineering and math. The STEM Council meetings offer places where educators, businesses and government officials can meet, talk about advancing the areas of STEM and work together to meet those goals.
“Kids need to see the connection between what they’re learning in class and real jobs,” Branstad said.
DMACC instructors who were present at the meeting gave their own perspectives on STEM and its future.
“I think the STEM Council will be good for DMACC,” said John Doran, a computer and math instructor at DMACC Boone.
Editor-in-Chief
Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds visited DMACC on Wednesday, Sept. 12, to talk to local educators about STEM. According to the STEM website, iowastem.gov, STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and it is an initiative to raise awareness about these areas. Reynolds and University of Northern Iowa’s President Benjamin Allen co-chair the STEM Council, which consists of up to 40 members from across Iowa.
According to a study conducted by Harvard University in July of this year, Iowa has shown the slowest rate of improvement in math, science and reading compared to the 40 other states involved in the study over the past 19 years.
The governor created STEM by executive order in July of 2011 to encourage students, parents and educators to take interest in science, technology, engineering and math. The STEM Council meetings offer places where educators, businesses and government officials can meet, talk about advancing the areas of STEM and work together to meet those goals.
“Kids need to see the connection between what they’re learning in class and real jobs,” Branstad said.
DMACC instructors who were present at the meeting gave their own perspectives on STEM and its future.
“I think the STEM Council will be good for DMACC,” said John Doran, a computer and math instructor at DMACC Boone.
“It’s encouraging to know that these four areas are being addressed,” he added.
Mary-Beth Hanlin, a biology instructor at DMACC Boone, agreed saying that “It’s a great idea to get people interested in STEM courses.”
However, the STEM Council was also viewed with some skepticism and given some suggestions by the instructors.
“There are two major problems facing STEM right now,” Doran said. “The first is that standardized test scores in STEM areas are low and the second is that female students tend to avoid those four areas of study.”
Hanlin voiced similar concerns regarding standardized test scores: “If you look at the ACT scores, you’ll see that they are low in the STEM areas.”
“I think we need to quit putting so much stress on standardized test scores,” Hanlin added, pointing out that some schools teach primarily to pass tests, not learn the actual subject matter.
Nancy Woods, a physics and math instructor, echoed Doran’s concerns about female students in STEM courses. “The truth is that STEM areas are just not welcoming all students.”
She attributed the problem to the fact that, in comparison to other courses, there are fewer female instructors in science, technology, engineering and math atmost universities.
Doran, Hanln and Woods agreed that the STEM Council needs to encourage growth from elementary school through college, that everyone in the process needs to support the program if it’s going to work, and that it’s too early to tell if the STEM Council has had an effect on education.
Mary-Beth Hanlin, a biology instructor at DMACC Boone, agreed saying that “It’s a great idea to get people interested in STEM courses.”
However, the STEM Council was also viewed with some skepticism and given some suggestions by the instructors.
“There are two major problems facing STEM right now,” Doran said. “The first is that standardized test scores in STEM areas are low and the second is that female students tend to avoid those four areas of study.”
Hanlin voiced similar concerns regarding standardized test scores: “If you look at the ACT scores, you’ll see that they are low in the STEM areas.”
“I think we need to quit putting so much stress on standardized test scores,” Hanlin added, pointing out that some schools teach primarily to pass tests, not learn the actual subject matter.
Nancy Woods, a physics and math instructor, echoed Doran’s concerns about female students in STEM courses. “The truth is that STEM areas are just not welcoming all students.”
She attributed the problem to the fact that, in comparison to other courses, there are fewer female instructors in science, technology, engineering and math atmost universities.
Doran, Hanln and Woods agreed that the STEM Council needs to encourage growth from elementary school through college, that everyone in the process needs to support the program if it’s going to work, and that it’s too early to tell if the STEM Council has had an effect on education.