Enticing Students to Pursue STEM-Related Careers Through Cyber-Driven Learning

摘要

Faced with a changing planet and the need to understand and respond to these changes, there is a demand both for well-trained scientists and environmental educators who can offer learners quality science education. The need is crucial for the next generation of citizens who will continue to face challenges related to a changing planet (Cortese 1992; Kilduff 2008). Under the umbrella of STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), both formal and informal educators have overwhelming evidence that they must provide more than knowledge of these disciplines, but problem-solving ability and deeper concept understanding (Alexander 1992; Linn 1987; Yarroch 1985). Future earth scientists and professionals need to be armed not only with knowledge, but also with the skills and dispositions to be successful (Carnevale et al. 2010; Cook and King 2004; Wellman et al. 2008).