Why I Got Into Teaching: The Stem Crisis

STEM education involves the subjects science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM schools and programs approach these key educational subjects in an integrated way so that each subject can be applied to the other. STEM learning programs range from primary school through master`s degree programs and is growing worldwide, not just in United States and UK. The aim of these STEM-based learning curriculums is to increase students` interest in pursuing higher education and careers in these subject areas by integrating a wide range of teaching techniques to encourage students. This includes a blend of learning that combines traditional classroom teaching with online learning and hands-on activities, and by doing so, this allows students to explore the different ways of learning and problem-solving.

There are many benefits to STEM education, including modernizing the learning process for students and allowing students to quickly learn the skills and knowledge most relevant in today`s society. However, a big part of the STEM initiative emphasizes inclusion, equality, and diversity to find and support talent as diversity and inclusion help to boost innovation, creativity, productivity, and revenue in STEM fields. Many of the jobs that individuals with STEM related degrees go off to do include careers in computer networking, IT, engineering and Teaching. These jobs are in high demand and STEM professionals are in short supply.

It is a known fact that there are not enough STEM teachers, with many not holding a STEM related degree. This hinders the impact teachers and their teaching can have on children’s learning, resulting in a lack of support for children from less advantageous backgrounds. For example, it was found that in 2017, 54% of secondary schools in England did not offer GCSE computer science (largely due to a lack of skilled teachers) and that 50% of mixed-gender state schools did not have a single girl studying A-Level physics. This further highlights the fact that there are not enough STEM teachers and not enough children who have the passion to study these STEM subjects.

Studying a degree in science has made me realise how relevant science is in the current world situation. There are many reasons/inspirations as to why I became a teacher and tutor. Both my elder sisters are science teachers with Teach first and are helping to overcome the STEM crisis and encouraging students to pursue a career in STEM. Studying A-level Biology at college, I was greatly inspired by my teacher and his passion for the subject. The encouragement and support given by both my sisters and my teacher had gave me the courage to pursue the same goal. Since becoming a science teacher, I have learnt more about the crisis facing STEM subjects and how this affects disadvantageous children. Gaining first-hand experience in the classroom has allowed me to see what challenges STEM teachers face in the classroom environment as well as developing key essential skills like leadership and team work. By continuing to share my passion for science with my students I hope to be a part of tackling the STEM crisis and encouraging students to pursue careers in the subject.

The world around us is ever more evolving, with more advancement in technology and science. Therefore, it is essential that we build the passion in our younger generations for STEM subjects through our education system, and in doing so, hope to tackle the STEM crisis in education and worldwide!