There is hope. No matter how heated the debate over education gets, there seems to be consensus that the competitiveness and future economic prosperity of the United States will depend heavily on our children's ability to excel in such fields as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In 2011, a STEM secondary school opened in our area. Early results have been very encouraging—as of December 2013, the school was recognized as the top-scoring public high school in the state of Pennsylvania. The program focuses on hands-on, inquiry-based learning activities. Students learn about the engineering design process, work directly with STEM professionals through internships, and participate in field experiences and STEM-related competitions. An important aspect of expanding this success is the integration and alignment of the program's goals with K-12 educational programs. So, how do we begin to engage students at an even earlier age?
展开▼
