STEM is a learning method that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics into courses to generate innovation for society. STEM education develops the skills needed for the future economy, and it is what will be sought out by employers in the near future.
The use of STEM education in schools has been shown to have many benefits. It improves academic performance, increases creativity, and helps students learn about the engineering design process, which helps them think outside their comfort zone.
Data-Driven STEM
Internet of Things has opened a new door for STEM education. On the one hand, IoT provides a promising opportunity for STEM education because it is a topic that can be more easily taught at the high school level. However, on the other hand, IoT also presents new challenges in STEM education because some concepts are too complicated to be taught at this level.
While the IoT is still in its early stages of development, it will become inevitable for us to adopt this new technology. This type of education will allow students to learn about technology at a young age and provide a robust understanding of how these advances can be utilized in society.
STEM by Machines
In the near future, more and more companies will start to develop IoT products. For learners to thrive in this environment, STEM programs must evolve and prepare students for a world where everything is connected.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now gradually making its way into STEM education. It is no surprise that this new technology has changed the way we learn. Robots are now teaching lessons, and AI is assisting humans with grading, which can make the whole process easier for both teachers and students.
When talking about IoT, we cannot forget to mention AI. The future of STEM education will be largely shaped by AI in many areas, including but not limited to:
New instructional materials that will be created by machine learning
Computer-aided instruction
Virtual tutors
AI grading tools
Computerized test scoring
Robots as teachers or assistant teachers
The future of education is one that will rely heavily on IoT and artificial intelligence. Computers and robots will be the ones making textbooks and educating our youth. The job market will also change as artificial intelligence will be used to replace many jobs. With advances in robotics and artificial intelligence, we can expect many STEM careers to evolve or even disappear in the next decades.
STEM on the Go
There is a saying that “science changes everything,” but science doesn’t change the human instinct to fear what we cannot control. In this case, it’s artificial intelligence. Understanding the future of AI and how it will affect our society is imperative because it will shape our world in unimaginable ways.
Many educators are worried that science education will be displaced by the increasing popularity of computer games and social media. The concern is that students will not make time to read books, learn about science and develop the skills needed for STEM-related careers.
This concern is not actually a valid one because students are now able to learn about science through their devices. There are many apps available on the Google Play Store which can help them learn more about it.
Today’s students indeed spend a lot of time playing computer games and surfing social media sites. However, there are still many STEM educational apps that parents can download for their children or even buy. Society is changing with the introduction of new technologies like artificial intelligence. Students should take part in projects that involve AI, to understand how it works and how it supports their education. AI should not be used to replace humans but rather work alongside them, eventually replacing specific unskilled tasks that humans perform today.
After 25 years in engineering, Johannes Beekman founded IoT Marketing with the goal of helping companies bring wide-scale awareness to their inventions. He received a Master of Science in Physics degree from the Eindhoven University of Technology, and a Master in Business Administration degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and started his career in the semiconductor field. Johannes pioneered two successful wafer fab startups for Philips Electronics; one in Europe and the second one in Asia. And served as Senior Program Manager for Sematech, where he provided solutions for semiconductor industry-wide product improvement and cost reduction challenges. Johannes has also published articles on several trade-focused websites.
